Easy Cowboy Cornbread Casserole: A Hearty and Homely Delight for Beginner Cooks
A simple and delicious casserole with a ground beef filling topped with a sweet cornbread crust. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 14 oz canned corn, drained
- 14.5 oz canned kidney beans, drained
- 2 cups salsa
- 1 oz taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
- 8.5 oz Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 8.25 oz creamed corn
- 2 tbsp milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating ensures even baking and prevents the casserole from cooking unevenly. Beginner Note: Preheating ensures even baking.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spoon or spatula to break up the ground beef as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. This prevents a greasy casserole. Beginner Note: Use a spoon or spatula to break up the ground beef as it cooks. Drain grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add the drained corn, kidney beans, salsa, taco seasoning, water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the skillet. Stir to combine. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and the flavors meld together. Beginner Note: Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Pour into Baking Dish: Pour the ground beef mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Nonstick spray prevents the casserole from sticking and makes serving easier. Beginner Note: Nonstick spray prevents the casserole from sticking.
- Top with Cheese: Top the ground beef mixture with the shredded cheese and set aside. Ensure the cheese is evenly distributed for a melty and flavorful topping. Beginner Note: Ensure cheese is evenly distributed.
- Prepare Cornbread Topping: Combine the corn muffin mix, creamed corn, milk, and sour cream in a medium bowl. Mix until you have a thick batter. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in a tough topping. Beginner Note: Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Spoon Cornbread Topping: Spoon the cornbread mixture evenly over the ground beef and cheese. Spread the batter evenly to ensure even baking and a consistent texture. Beginner Note: Spread the batter evenly to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is cooked through and golden brown. Use a toothpick to check if the cornbread is cooked through. The toothpick should come out clean. Beginner Note: Use a toothpick to check if the cornbread is cooked through. The toothpick should come out clean.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Cooling slightly allows the casserole to set and makes it easier to serve. Beginner Note: Cooling slightly allows the casserole to set.
- Store Leftovers: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This prevents the casserole from drying out and keeps it fresh. Beginner Note: Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef.
- Drain canned goods well.
- Don’t overmix cornbread.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick.
- Customize with your favorite cheese.