Ingredients
Cornbread Mixture
- 2 boxes Jiffy Cornbread Mix
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2/3 cup milk
Beef Mixture
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes (or a can of diced tomatoes with diced chilies)
- 1 can sweet corn, drained
- 1 can black beans (or Ranch Style Beans for more flavor)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar cheese)
Toppings (Optional)
- Chopped bacon
- Green bell pepper, chopped
- Red bell pepper, chopped
- Diced yellow onion
- Additional shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Thoroughly drain any excess grease to keep the dish leaner.
- Mix Cornbread Batter: In a large bowl, combine the Jiffy Cornbread Mix, eggs, and milk. Stir until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Beef with Vegetables and Seasoning: Using the same skillet with the cooked beef, add the can of Rotel (or diced tomatoes with chilies), drained corn, black beans, and sprinkle the taco seasoning over. Stir well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
- Layer the Casserole: Transfer the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly on top of the meat layer.
- Add Cornbread Batter and Bake: Pour the cornbread batter over the cheese layer, spreading it to cover the entire surface evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set before serving.
- Serve with Toppings: Serve your Cowboy Cornbread Casserole with desired toppings such as sour cream, chopped bacon, pico de gallo, diced onions, and extra shredded cheese for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Drain excess grease from beef to reduce fat content.
- Use room temperature eggs for better batter mixing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetarian taco seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
