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Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole

The ultimate comfort food, Cowboy Casserole is a hearty blend of flavors, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. This dish combines seasoned ground beef with beans and a sweet cornbread topping, creating a fulfilling meal everyone will love. Make it tonight for a tasty family gathering!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can pinto beans (16 ounces), drained
  • 1 can corn (15.25 ounces), drained
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles (10 ounces)
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce, (1 small can)
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix (8.5 ounces)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup creamed corn
  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Skillet
  • Oven
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Chef's Knife
  • Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375˚F. This ensures that your casserole bakes evenly and thoroughly.
  2. In a medium bowl, prepare the cornbread topping. Mix together the Jiffy cornbread mix, egg, and creamed corn until just combined. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the filling.
  3. In a large, oven-safe skillet, add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and the onion and peppers are soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure to drain any excess grease to keep your casserole from being too oily.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, and add in the drained pinto beans, drained corn, Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and let them simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  5. Spread the prepared cornbread mixture evenly over the top of the beef and bean mixture in the skillet. Make sure to cover the beef mixture as evenly as possible with a thin layer of cornbread.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is set and lightly golden. Keep an eye on it to prevent overbaking.
  7. Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will make it easier to serve.
  8. Serve warm with a generous dollop of sour cream on top and a sprinkle of cilantro for a fresh burst of flavor!

Notes

  • Ground beef: Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted.
  • Pinto beans: Black beans can be used instead.
  • Corn: 1 1/2 cups of frozen thawed corn can be swapped in for the can of corn.
  • How to Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
  • How to Freeze: This Cowboy Casserole recipe freezes well. It can be frozen before or after cooking. See “Freezer Meal Instructions” section in the original post for full instructions.
  • How to Reheat: This can be reheated in the microwave in 30 second increments, stir in between heating, or cover with tin foil and place into the oven to reheat.
  • How to Scale: This recipe can easily be doubled if you are feeding a crowd or halved for smaller portions. I suggest sizing the skillet up or down accordingly.