Description
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a hearty, one-pan Tex-Mex comfort meal with seasoned beef, beans, corn, and tomatoes, topped with melty cheese and a golden cornbread crust.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8.5 oz) box cornbread mix
1/3 cup milk (or as directed on cornbread mix)
1 egg (or as directed on cornbread mix)
Optional: chopped scallions or jalapeños for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, then drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the cornbread mix according to package instructions (usually adding milk and egg).
- Pour the cornbread batter over the cheese layer and spread gently to cover everything.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cornbread is golden and cooked through.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped scallions or jalapeños if desired.
Notes
Swap ground beef with turkey or rotisserie chicken for a different protein option.
For a vegetarian version, omit meat and add more beans and vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
Mix chopped jalapeños into the cornbread batter for extra heat.
Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicier flavor.
To check if cornbread is done, insert a toothpick—if it comes out clean, it’s ready.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
