Description
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole combines hearty black beans with zesty southwestern flavors that make weeknight dinners delightfully simple. Grab your skillet and get ready for a comforting meal that brings southwestern charm straight to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Add-ins:
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz), undrained
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 package cornbread mix (about 15 oz)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to precisely 400°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish generously with cooking spray.
- Prepare the cornbread mix according to package directions, using the recommended liquid and eggs.
- Brown 1 lb ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles.
- Add 1 diced bell pepper and 1 diced onion to the skillet. Saute for exactly 4 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture if needed. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Stir in 1 can of black beans, 1 cup corn, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Simmer the meat and bean mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Transfer the entire skillet contents to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the prepared cornbread batter directly over the meat mixture, covering completely.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese over the cornbread surface.
- Bake at 400°F for 27 minutes until the cornbread turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
- Check cornbread mix packaging for specific mixing instructions to ensure perfect texture.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Add shredded cheese on top of the beef mixture before pouring cornbread batter for extra flavor and richness.
- For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans and use vegetable broth instead of beef drippings.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg