Description
Hearty cowboy cornbread casserole delivers a southwestern comfort classic with ground beef, corn, and jalapeños nestled beneath a golden cornbread topping. Robust flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each satisfying spoonful of this irresistible one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz or 280 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained
- 1 box (8.5 oz or 240 g) cornbread mix (Jiffy)
- 1 packet (1 oz or 28 g) taco seasoning mix
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) for optimal baking conditions.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with onions and bell peppers until meat browns and vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook briefly to intensify flavors.
- Flavor Layering: Combine beef mixture with black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and taco seasoning. Simmer gently to allow ingredients to marry and develop a rich, cohesive taste.
- Base Assembly: Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese across the surface to create a melty, flavorful foundation.
- Cornbread Topping: Whisk cornbread mix with milk and egg until smooth. Fold in additional cheddar cheese to create a rich, cheesy cornbread layer.
- Final Layering: Pour cornbread batter over the beef mixture, spreading carefully to ensure complete and uniform coverage.
- Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven until cornbread turns golden brown and a testing utensil comes out clean when inserted into the center.
- Serving: Allow casserole to rest briefly. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, or jalapeño slices to enhance visual appeal and add complementary flavors.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to prevent excess grease and maintain a balanced texture in the casserole.
- Vegetable Sauté Technique: Ensure vegetables are finely diced and sautéed until slightly caramelized to maximize flavor depth and prevent watery consistency.
- Cornbread Batter Balance: Mix cornbread batter just until combined to avoid tough, dense topping; overmixing can develop gluten and create a rubbery texture.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Easily swap ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or black beans for vegetarian/lighter protein options while maintaining the dish’s hearty character.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg