Easy Cowboy Cornbread Casserole Recipe
This Easy Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal combining seasoned ground beef, corn, kidney beans, and a cheesy cornbread topping baked to golden perfection. Perfect for comforting family dinners, this casserole offers a delicious blend of Tex-Mex flavors with a satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 14 oz canned corn, drained
- 14.5 oz canned kidney beans, drained
- 2 cups salsa
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
Cornbread Topping
- 8.5 oz Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 8.25 oz creamed corn
- 2 tbsp milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking and prevent cooking unevenness in the casserole.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in the drained canned corn, kidney beans, salsa, taco seasoning, water, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder into the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Mix thoroughly to evenly combine flavors.
- Pour into Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray and pour the beef and vegetable mixture into it, spreading evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese uniformly over the ground beef mixture for a melty, flavorful top layer.
- Prepare Cornbread Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the Jiffy corn muffin mix, creamed corn, milk, and sour cream. Mix until you have a thick batter, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Spoon Cornbread Topping: Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the cheese and beef layer in the baking dish to ensure consistent baking.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set for easier portioning.
- Store Leftovers: Keep any leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and moisture.
Notes
- Preheat the oven to ensure even baking.
- Drain excess grease from the beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Use nonstick spray on the baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix cornbread batter gently to avoid a tough topping.
- Check doneness of cornbread with a toothpick for best results.
- Allow casserole to cool slightly before serving for easier slicing.
- Store leftovers properly in airtight containers to preserve freshness.
Keywords: cowboy casserole, cornbread casserole, ground beef casserole, easy comfort food, Tex-Mex casserole, baked cornbread topping, hearty casserole
