Description
Hearty cowboy cornbread casserole brings Texas ranch-style comfort straight to dinner tables with rich ground beef and sweet corn melding perfectly. Spicy jalapeños and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Protein-Based Ingredients:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 ounces (28 grams) packet taco seasoning
Vegetable and Bean Ingredients:
- 1 (14 ounces / 396 grams) can canned corn, drained
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can canned kidney beans, drained
- 2 cups salsa
Seasoning and Dairy Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (Colby Jack recommended)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons milk
Cornbread Topping Ingredients:
- 1 (8.5 ounces / 241 grams) box Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 1 (8.25 ounces / 234 grams) can creamed corn
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the hearty casserole.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked, eliminating excess grease.
- Incorporate corn, kidney beans, salsa, taco seasoning, water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into the beef. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to intensify and mixture to thicken.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, distributing evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle Colby Jack cheese over the beef layer, creating a rich, melty foundation.
- Blend Jiffy corn muffin mix, creamed corn, milk, and sour cream in a bowl until a smooth batter forms.
- Carefully spread the cornbread batter across the cheese and beef layers, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cornbread topping turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, then serve warm alongside a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy salsa and adjusting taco seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create more texture in the filling.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time by assembling everything except the cornbread topping, then add and bake just before serving to maintain the best texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg