Description
Hearty cowboy cornbread casserole delivers southwest comfort with ground beef, corn, and cheesy cornbread topping. Spicy, satisfying layers promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 packet (28 grams) taco seasoning
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) kidney beans, drained
- 1 can (8.25 ounces / 234 grams) creamed corn
- 2 cups salsa
Dairy and Additional Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (340 grams) shredded cheese (e.g., Colby Jack)
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk
- 1 box (8.5 ounces / 241 grams) Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Preheat the culinary workspace to a warm 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty southwestern-inspired feast.
- In a robust skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, ensuring complete cooking and eliminating excess fat through careful draining.
- Enhance the meat mixture by introducing vibrant corn kernels, robust kidney beans, zesty salsa, aromatic taco seasoning, a splash of water, and complementary spices for a flavor-packed base.
- Transition the savory mixture into a generously greased 9×13-inch baking vessel, creating an inviting foundation and liberally crown with a blanket of shredded cheese.
- Craft the cornbread topping by whisking together corn muffin mix, velvety creamed corn, smooth milk, and tangy sour cream until achieving a harmonious, lump-free consistency.
- Elegantly distribute the cornbread batter across the meat landscape, ensuring comprehensive coverage and an even layer.
- Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 35-40 minutes until the cornbread develops a golden, perfectly set surface.
- Present the piping hot casserole adorned with optional garnishes like cool sour cream, creamy avocado slices, or bright diced tomatoes for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy salsa, adjusting to your preferred spiciness.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra beans like black beans or pinto beans for more nutrition.
- Prepare cornbread topping separately to ensure a crispier, more golden texture on top of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 379 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 723 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg