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Effortless and Enjoyable Cowboy Cornbread CasserolešŸŒ½šŸ”„

A serving of cowboy cornbread casserole being lifted from a skillet.
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A warm, comforting dish, this Cowboy Cornbread Casserole combines savory ground beef, zesty beans, melty cheese, and a golden cornbread topping for the ultimate one-pan meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this casserole is packed with bold, Southern-inspired flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat Filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 tbsp taco or chili seasoning
  • Ā½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Ā½ tsp salt & black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the Cornbread Topping:

  • 1 box cornbread mix (or homemade cornbread batter)
  • ā…” cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • Ā½ cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

1ļøāƒ£ Cook the Meat Filling

  1. Preheat oven to 375Ā°F (190Ā°C).
  2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned (5-6 minutes).
  3. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sautƩing for another 3 minutes.
  4. Stir in garlic, taco seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt/pepper. Cook for 1 more minute.
  5. Mix in black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese.

šŸ”„ Pro Tip: For a smokier taste, cook beef with a splash of Worcestershire sauce!

2ļøāƒ£ Prepare the Cornbread Batter

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine cornbread mix, milk, egg, melted butter, and shredded cheese.
  2. Stir until just combined (donā€™t overmix!).

šŸ”„ Pro Tip: For extra moisture, add Ā¼ cup sour cream to the batter!

3ļøāƒ£ Assemble & Bake

  1. Spread the meat filling evenly into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  2. Pour cornbread batter on top, spreading gently to cover.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

šŸ”„ Pro Tip: For a crispy, golden crust, brush the top with melted butter before baking!

Notes

This one-pan, cheesy casserole is the perfect comfort foodā€”savory, slightly sweet, and loaded with flavor! Whether youā€™re making it for a cozy family dinner, meal prep, or a potluck, itā€™s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spaceofrecipes.com/cowboy-cornbread-casserole/