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Honey Cornbread Pasta Bake

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Honey Cornbread Pasta Bake is a creative comfort dish that fuses tender pasta with sweet honey cornbread, topped with caramelized meat and creamy frosting for a bold sweet-savory twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni or spiral pasta
  • 1 box honey cornbread mix (or homemade equivalent)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk (for cornbread mix)
  • 2 tbsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
  • 2 tbsp butter (for greasing and richness)
  • 1 cup cooked pasta sauce or cream-based sauce
  • 1 cup candied beef or glazed sausage, chopped
  • 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup sour cream (for frosting)
  • Optional: 2 tbsp powdered sugar (for sweet frosting)
  • Fresh thyme or herbs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare cornbread batter with eggs, milk, and optional honey according to package or homemade instructions.
  3. Grease a deep baking dish with butter. Spread cooked pasta across the bottom and pour sauce over it evenly.
  4. Pour cornbread batter over the pasta layer and spread gently to cover.
  5. Top with candied meat chunks, pressing slightly into the batter.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the cornbread is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. While warm, spread cream cheese or sour cream on top as frosting. Optionally sweeten with powdered sugar.
  8. Garnish with remaining meat and fresh thyme. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use boxed or homemade cornbread—both work well.
  • Frosting can be savory (sour cream) or sweet (cream cheese with sugar).
  • Meat options include candied beef, sausage, or pulled pork.
  • Add jalapeños or cheese to batter for extra flavor.
  • Best served warm; reheats well with added cream or sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey cornbread casserole, sweet and savory bake, cornbread pasta fusion, baked pasta with meat, creative comfort food

Find it online: https://yumcove.com/honey-cornbread-pasta-bake/