Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

Cowboy cornbread casserole is an easy casserole dish that starts with browned ground beef. Perfect for busy weeknights, you just mix the ingredients and top with a layer of cheese and classic cornbread for a hearty dish. One of the most delicious family-friendly dinner recipes.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love It
• 📝 Ingredients
• 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
• 🥄 Step-by-step instructions
• 👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own
• Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
• 🧺 Storing leftovers
• ⌛ Make Ahead
• 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
• 💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
• 📣 Related Recipes
• Cowboy Cornbread Casserole Recipe

❤️ Why You'll Love It

• This cornbread cowboy casserole is a hearty, filling, and flavorful meal.
• Perfect for getting kids to eat their veggies with lots of variations to make it your own.
• Great for potlucks or a weeknight comforting meal with simple ingredients.

Cowboy casserole is one dish that your family will absolutely adore. And you won't believe how easy it is to assemble and bake. Tastes even better the next day when you need leftovers for an easy dinner or lunch.

📝 Ingredients

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

• For the savory ground beef mixture, you will need ground beef, oil, onion, RoTel, taco seasoning, beans and corn.
• jiffy cornbread mix, easily found in your nearest grocery store, use any brand you have.
• Eggs and milk are used to make the cornbread layer.
• Mexican or cheddar cheese - highly recommended.

🥣 Before you begin: essential tools

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• 13x9 Casserole dish.

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🥄 Step-by-step instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. In a large skillet, sauté onion until translucent, then brown ground beef, breaking it apart until cooked. Add taco seasoning, rotel tomatoes, Corn and beans and mix everything well for a couple of minutes then turn heat off.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Jiffy corn muffin mix with eggs and milk according to package instructions.
3. Spread ground beef mixture at the bottom of your baking dish topped with shredded cheese if using.
4. Spread cornbread topping and smooth top evenly. Bake uncovered in the center of your preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until cornbread is fully baked and top is golden brown.

👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own

• This is a great recipe to clean up your fridge. Add any vegetables you like to the meat mixture. Throw in that half bell pepper, a lonely zucchini or some mushrooms.
• Add a can of tomato sauce for an extra saucy meat mixture.
• Spice up the meat mixture with some cayenne peppers, red pepper flakes, green chilies or jalapeño.
• Use ground chicken or ground turkey instead.
• I used a can of pinto beans, but any beans you like, black beans, kidney beans work too.

Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips

• Make sure to grease your casserole dish well for easy clean up.
• Cheese is optional but highly recommended.
• I like using lean ground beef so my dish is not overly greasy.
• Make sure to taste the ground beef mixture after cooking and before adding it to the casserole. Add more taco spices according to your liking.
• Cowboy casserole can also be made in a cast iron skillet as well but I prefer ceramic or glass casserole dish.
• To keep the cornbread from over-browning, you may want to cover it with tin foil for the last ten minutes of cooking. 
• When spreading the cornbread batter over the ground beef mixture, spray a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon with cooking spray to keep it from sticking.

🧺 Storing leftovers

Leftover cowboy cornbread casserole can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until thoroughly heated.

⌛ Make Ahead

You can brown the ground beef and mix the corn and beans. Wrap and put in the refrigerator until ready to add the cornbread batter and bake.

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with

• I love serving this hearty cornbread casserole with an easy side of vegetables like this air fryer frozen broccoli.
• This hearty dish goes perfect with a green salad like this fresh Greek Salad.
• This No Bake Key Lime Pie is the perfect treat to end a hearty cowboy cornbread casserole dinner.

💬 Your questions answered: FAQs

📣 Related Recipes

• This Baked Beans with Ground Beef dish can stand on its own or complements a variety of meals. An amazing blend of sweet, savory and smoky flavors make this a comfort food for all times.
• Here is another family favorite, Taco Tater Tot Casserole made in a cast iron skillet.
• Are you in the mood for something a little different, but still full of flavor? This Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole is a family favorite.
• Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef is a child and adult Doritos lover's dream come true. This dish layers taco-flavored ground beef, melty cheese, and crunchy Doritos for the perfect weeknight dinner.
• Big Mac Casserole is a fun and easy twist on the favorite Big Mac classic sandwich in a hearty and comforting casserole form.
• A delicious and effortless Penne Pizza for hectic weeknight dinners. Serve the best of the two worlds, pasta and pizza, in a tasty cheesy casserole dish and watch everyone come for seconds.

This easy cornbread casserole always gets rave reviews from family and friends. It is a great side dish for Thanksgiving dinner and one of our family favorites on a special occasion.

It is also very versatile, let me know in the comments below what you will add more to this casserole.