Pork, Pumpkin, & Cornbread Casserole

By lorik

Nothing says the holidays like the best side dishes! Pork, Pumpkin & Cornbread Casserole is the perfect complementary dish to any main course!

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground pork or beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 7 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• EGG LAYER:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 small poblano peppers, or 1 jalapeño pepper (stems, ribs, and seeds discarded), minced
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped, divided
• Leaves of 2 sprigs fresh oregano or epazote, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 large eggs
• TOPPING:
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 4 corn muffins or cornbread, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
• 2/3 cup shelled, salted, roasted pumpkin seeds

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 45mins
Adapted from thekitchn.com

Preparation

Step 1

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F.

Make the filling: Heat the oil in a 10- to 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, until the meat is cooked through and browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the meat to a medium bowl; set aside.

Add the onions to the same pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and browned on the edges, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Add the pumpkin and mix well. Transfer the pumpkin and onion mixture to the bowl with the meat and stir to combine.

Make the egg layer: Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the oil and, with the wooden spoon or spatula, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the poblanos or jalapeño, cilantro, oregano or epazote, salt, and pepper and mix to combine.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and pour them into the pan. Do not stir and allow to cook until the bottom sets, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Scoop the meat mixture on top of the egg. Gently smooth it out into an even layer. Remove the pan from the heat.

Make the topping: Combine the butter, chili powder, and salt in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 10-second blasts until the butter is melted; stir to combine and set aside.

Scatter the cornbread or corn muffin pieces evenly over the meat, sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds, and drizzle with the melted chili butter.

Bake until the casserole is hot, the eggs are set, and the corn muffin topping is crisp and browned, 15 to 17 minutes.

Recipe Notes:
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.