Cowboy Casserole

Name: Cowboy Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Ground Beef; 1/2 white onion (about 1 cup); 1 Can Diced tomatoes w/green chillis (10 oz); 1 Can Pinto Beans (15 oz); 2 Cups Corn; 1 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese; 1 Box Corn Bread (8.5 oz); 1/3 `Cup Whole Milk; 1 Large Egg; 1 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 tsp Garlic Powder

by Taylor November 8, 2024

The cornbread topping is what takes this simple cowboy casserole to the next level! Full of savory, satisfying flavors and nutritious ingredients, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight.

Cowboy casserole on plate with casserole dish behind

You don’t need crazy ingredients to make a delicious and satisfying dinner! Similar to my Taco Rice Casserole, Cowboy casserole is full of simple ingredients that come together to create the ultimate comfort dish. Ground beef, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, and cheddar cheese are the base of the casserole. This hearty mixture is topped with cornbread batter, then baked in the oven until it is light and fluffy.

We like to use boxed cornbread mix to cut down on our prep time, but you can use your favorite sweet or savory cornbread recipe too! I love making this casserole on a chilly day because it can be ready for the oven in 20 minutes, and comes out warm and cozy every time. This casserole has become a favorite in my home, and I know it will be in yours too! I’d love for you to try my Italian Sausage Pasta

Reasons We Love This Recipe

The ingredients are simple, nutritious, and come together to create an easy meal.
It only takes 20 minutes to get this casserole ready to go in the oven!
This dish is cheesy and warm, making it the ultimate comfort food on a chilly day.

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef—You can use ground beef with any fat percentage.
White Onion—Adds a bright flavor to the ground beef.
Olive Oil—To cook the onion and ground beef.
Diced Tomatoes—Canned, with green chilis.
Pinto Beans—Drained.
Corn—Fresh, canned, or frozen will all work.
Cheese—We prefer sharp cheddar.
Spices—A mixture of salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
Jiffy Cornbread Mix—Or your favorite homemade cornbread recipe.
Whole Milk—You can also use 2% milk.
Egg—To keep the cornbread nice and fluffy.

cowboy casserole ingredients, corn, tomatoes, onion, cornbread, beans, cheese, beef

How to Make Cowboy Casserole

Preheat your oven and heat the oil in a pan.
Add the ground beef and diced onion.

Cook until the beef is no longer pink in the middle, and drain the excess grease.

Stir in the paprika, salt, and garlic powder followed by the corn, pinto beans, drained tomatoes and cheese. Once the cheese is melted, transfer the mixture to a pan and set aside.

Whisk together the cornbread mix, egg, and milk and then spread the mixture over your ground beef mixture.

Bake your casserole until the edges of the cornbread are golden brown.
Serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any kind of ground beef?

Absolutely! You can use any type of ground beef for this recipe. We typically use 90/10 ground beef but you can also use 85/15 or 93/7 if that is what you prefer. Depending on what fat content you choose will determine how much grease you will need to drain once the meat is cooked. If you want to add some extra flavor to your cowboy casserole, you can also use spicy ground beef or sausage. Whatever you choose, it will taste amazing!

What kind of dish should I use to bake this casserole?

Typically a 9 x 13 inch pan is the most common for making casseroles. For this recipe we suggest using a 7 x 11 inch dish because of the cornbread mixture that will be baked on top. We want the cornbread to be thick and fluffy, so we use a smaller pan. If you only have a 9 x 13 inch pan then feel free to use it! Your cornbread will spread a little thin but that is totally fine. You can also use two boxes of cornbread mix to make up for using a bigger pan.

Do I need to let this dish rest before serving?

Yes, it is a good idea to allow the casserole to rest before serving. We recommend letting the casserole cool for 10-15 minutes before you serve it. This will ensure that all of the juices and flavors settle and blend with each other nicely. It will also be much easier to slice and remove from the baking dish once it has cooled a little. By giving it some time to rest, the casserole will also maintain its shape and won’t fall apart as easily!

How to Serve and Store Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy casserole is an all-in-one dish with vegetables, meat, and cornbread on top! This cozy dish is very filling on its own but you can also serve the casserole with a light Caesar or garden salad, or fresh fruit on the side to balance the rich flavors. You can add cilantro, green onions, jalapenos, or sour cream as a simple garnish to complete the dish!

Any leftover casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to four days in an airtight container. Be sure to allow the casserole to cool completely before refrigerating it. Reheat a plate of leftovers in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, stirring halfway through. I don’t recommend trying to freeze this dish as it will not hold up as well in the freezer!

Expert Tips and Tricks

If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika will work just fine here! The smoked paprika adds a little extra richness to the dish but it isn’t a necessity.
Use a spatula or meat chopper to easily break up the ground beef as it cooks!
Don’t worry about rinsing your pinto beans, just drain as much liquid from the can as possible.
The type of corn you use will not have a noticeable effect on the final product, so you can use canned, fresh, or frozen!
Pepper jack cheese goes great in this dish as well! I prefer to use freshly grated cheese as opposed to bagged cheese. The freshly grated cheese will melt down much easier.