Description
Learn how to make delicious Cowboy Cornbread Casserole. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (substitute with pinto beans if preferred)
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn kernels, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (feel free to use pepper jack for a little kick)
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (can substitute with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based milk works well)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or use vegetable oil for a dairy-free version)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and fragrant, roughly 4 minutes.
- Stir in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together. Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly over the beef and bean mixture in the skillet. Stir gently to combine, then transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and then mix in the milk and melted butter.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. It’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy; overmixing can make the cornbread tough.
- Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the beef and bean layer in the baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out gently, making sure it covers the filling completely.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of the cornbread batter for a melty, golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting time helps everything set up nicely and makes it easier to slice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole, recipe, cooking, food
