The Genius Way to Turn a Box of Jiffy Cornbread Mix Into Dinner

The Genius Way to Turn a Box of Jiffy Cornbread Mix Into Dinner originally appeared on Parade.

Summer is quickly wrapping up and the back-to-school scramble will soon be here (or maybe it's already here for you and your family). Transitioning from lazy summer days to a new fall schedule can be a little bit rough. Between bus schedules, lunch planning, homework helping and more, dinnertime can feel like a full-on sprint.

That’s why it’s essential to have a few quick, satisfying meals in your rotation, ones that don’t require a ton of prep but still deliver big on flavor and recipes you know your family will enjoy. Cookbook author Matthew Bounds (@yourbarefootneighbor), one of our favorite food creators, is also feeling the fall crunch and shared a genius solution for those hectic weeknights: Corn Dog Casserole.

This nostalgic, hearty meal is perfect for a weeknight win when your schedule is anything but relaxing.

Related:How to Make Jiffy Cornbread Mix 10x Better, According to a Firefighter

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A Classic Corn Dog, Reinvented for the Oven

This dish takes everything you love about corn dogs—savory hot dogs, sweet cornbread crust—and turns it into a one-dish dinner that comes together in minutes. Instead of individually battering and frying each hot dog or heating up a frozen version, you simply stir everything together in a bowl, pour into a baking dish and stick it in the oven. It’s easy, clever and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell amazing.

Start by combining milk, eggs and Jiffy cornbread mix. This classic box mix gives the casserole its soft, slightly sweet base and keeps the prep super simple. To punch up the flavor, stir in some hot sauce, a bit of mustard and a dash of black pepper. If you want to add a little extra texture and a bit of sweetness, you can also add a can of corn to the batter, but that’s totally optional.

Next up, the star of the show: hot dogs! Slice them up, give them a quick fry in a skillet to crisp up the edges and fold them into the cornbread mixture along with diced green onions and shredded cheddar cheese. The fried hot dogs bring a smoky, savory depth to the casserole, the green onions brighten everything up and the cheese, well, you know what the cheese does.

Once it’s all mixed together, pour the batter into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish and sprinkle with more shredded cheese. Bake uncovered at 400° until the top is golden and bubbly and a toothpick comes out clean from the center, which should take about 30 minutes.

Related: The Genius Jiffy Cornbread Mix Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

Family Dinner, but Make It Fun

This isn’t just a time-saving recipe. It’s a dinner the whole family will actually want to eat. Kids love the corn dog flavor and parents love how easy it is to get on the table. Plus, you can customize it to fit your crew’s taste buds. Want more spice? Add extra hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne. Prefer beef or turkey hot dogs? Go for it. Need to sneak in veggies? Stir in some finely diced bell peppers or tomatoes.

The casserole is perfect served with mustard and ketchup on the side for dipping. You could even pair it with a simple side salad or some steamed green beans if you’re feeling ambitious, but honestly, it’s a full meal on its own.

Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, teenagers with bottomless appetites or just trying to survive the midweek madness, this Corn Dog Casserole is a total winner. It’s warm, cheesy and ready in less than an hour with barely any cleanup.

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The Genius Way to Turn a Box of Jiffy Cornbread Mix Into Dinner first appeared on Parade on Aug 7, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.