Description
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Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a hearty, one-pan meal with savory ground beef, beans, and vegetables, topped with a golden cornbread crust. Perfect for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings, this easy recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 box (8.5 oz) cornbread mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add aromatics: Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
- Mix in beans and vegetables: Add black beans, kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and tomato sauce.
- Season the mixture: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the beef and bean mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare cornbread topping: In a bowl, mix cornbread mix with egg and milk according to package instructions.
- Layer and bake: Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and fully cooked.
- Serve and enjoy: Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños to the beef mixture for extra heat.
- Different Protein: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or shredded chicken.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and add more beans or mushrooms.
- Cheese Lovers: Mix extra cheese into the cornbread batter for a gooier topping.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cornbread mix to accommodate dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: casserole, main dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Keywords: Cowboy cornbread casserole, easy casserole recipe, cornbread topping, one-pan meal, hearty dinner recipe