Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

This cowboy cornbread casserole recipe is absolutely loaded with flavor. It combines sweet cornbread mix with seasoned ground beef, red beans, and shredded cheese to make a cheesy, savory, and hearty casserole dish that the whole family will love.

The Best Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

I've been on quite the casserole kick lately, as you can tell by all of these casserole recipes. But, out of all of the casseroles I've made recently, this cowboy cornbread casserole might just be one of my favorites.

I mean, this cowboy cornbread casserole combines the perfect balance of flavors. It has a sweet cornbread batter that gets combined with a savory and seasoned blend of beans and ground beef. Then you add in tomatoes and sweet corn along with shredded Mexican cheese and bake it to golden brown perfection.

Honestly, what's not to love about that?

And, in addition to tasting incredible, this cowboy cornbread casserole also happens to be so, so easy to make.

Plus, the whole thing comes together in an hour, and almost all of that time is spent baking in the oven! So while the casserole is baking, you'll have plenty of time to whip up some equally delicious sides like these Red Lobster brussels sprouts or some Chinese green beans.

Why This Recipe Works

Easy to make. You just make the cornbread batter, cook the ground beef, combine those with the rest of your ingredients, and then bake the casserole in the oven.

A winning combination. Homemade cornbread is delicious on its own, but mix the Tex Mex ingredients with the Jiffy corn muffin mix, and you have a combo like no other.

Crowd-favorite. Anyone who loves comfort food with a whole lot of flavor absolutely loves this recipe, so it's perfect for busy weeknights when you need something the family will all enjoy.

Ingredients

The ingredient list for this cowboy cornbread casserole dish couldn't be simpler. In fact, you probably have most - if not all - of the ingredients you'll need in your kitchen already!

Anyway, here's what you'll need for this cowboy cornbread casserole:

• 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix (or any boxed cornbread mix)
• 1 egg
• ⅔ cup milk
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup Rotel Tomatoes
• 1 cup corn, drained
• 1 cup red beans, drained
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 2 tbsp. taco seasoning
• Green onions to serve

See, pretty simple, right?

By the way, if you're picking up some Jiffy cornbread mix from the store, make sure to grab some extra so you can make this Jiffy jalapeno cornbread, Taco cornbread casserole, tamale casserole, or corn soufflé next!

Oh, and if you're looking for a cowboy casserole with tater tots, you have to check out this cowboy casserole recipe.

How To Make Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 390°F (200ºC) and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper.

2. Make the cornbread: In a mixing bowl, prepare the cornbread by mixing the cornbread mix with the eggs and milk. Set aside.

3. Cook the beef: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Cook the ground beef for a few minutes, breaking it apart until browned on all sides. Drain the excess grease. 

4. Add the flavor: Add the taco seasoning, shredded cheese, Rotel tomatoes, pinto beans, and corn to the ground beef. Simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Assemble the casserole: Add the cornbread mixture to the ground beef mixture and stir until everything's fully combined. Pour everything into the baking dish.

6. Bake and serve: Cover the casserole and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with fresh green onions and sour cream on top.

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Use pinto beans, black beans, or baked beans instead of red beans.
• Use creamed corn or a combo of creamed and frozen corn kernels instead of canned corn.
• Add diced tomatoes and diced bell peppers to the ground beef and onions for more flavor. 
• Top the casseorle with extra shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy casserole.

How To Store Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

In the fridge: Cover the baking dish with a lid or store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

In the freezer: Wrap the cornbread in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Reheating: Put the casserole into a casserole dish and warm it in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 10 minutes or until it's warmed through. You can microwave a single piece of cornbread for about 10 seconds until warm.

FAQS About This Cowboy Cornbread Casserole Recipe

What can I add to this cornbread to spice it up?

Mix in diced jalapenos, bell peppers, chili powder, and cumin, and use pepper jack cheese.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole and cover it, and store it in the fridge for a few days before baking.

Can I use homemade cornbread instead of Jiffy corn muffin mix?

Yes, you can use your own cornbread recipe or make the one from this chili cornbread casserole.

More Casserole Recipes

If you love making casserole recipes, then we have plenty more on the blog for you to try next!

Here are some of our favorite easy casseroles:

• Mexican cornbread casserole
• Chile relleno casserole
• Sloppy Joe casserole
• Reuben casserole
• Buffalo chicken casserole
• Chicken hashbrown casserole

Oh, and as always, make sure to check us out on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! We post new recipes on them every day.

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