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This Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a hearty, one-pan dish packed with savory beans, smoky bacon, and a sweet, fluffy cornbread topping. Perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings—easy to make, totally satisfying, and bursting with flavor!
If you’re into big, bold flavors, you’ve got to check out Cowboy Butter or Cowboy Mushrooms—they’re both so good!
You’ll Need
🔪How to Make Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Cook the Beans: Brown the ground beef with the onion, bell pepper, and seasonings in an oven-safe skillet. Drain grease, then stir in the bacon, beans, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard.
Make the Cornbread: Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.
Combine gently, then fold in the cheddar cheese.
Assemble and Bake: Spread the cornbread batter over the beans and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and set.
Serving Suggestions
- Fresh Salad: Pair it with Cucumber and Tomato Salad or coleslaw to add a refreshing balance to the hearty casserole.
- Pickled Veggies: Serve with pickled jalapeños or cucumbers for a tangy kick.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream on top adds creaminess and a touch of tang.
- Hot Sauce: Drizzle with your favorite hot sauce for extra spice.
- Corn on the Cob: A side of buttered corn on the cob complements the flavors perfectly.
- Guacamole or Avocado Slices: Add a creamy, fresh element with sliced avocado or a scoop of guacamole.
- Bread and Butter: For an extra comforting meal, serve with warm bread or rolls.
Storage and Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through. For a quicker option, microwave individual portions.
More Delicious Casserole Recipes
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Easy Taco Casserole Recipe
- Baked Ravioli Casserole
- Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! We will be happy to hear from you!
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Cornbread Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients
Cowboy Beans
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon EACH: garlic powder and onion powder
- Salt, as needed
- 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 can, 28 ounces kidney beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 10 oz. can Rotel, drained
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Cornbread
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Cook the Cowboy Beans: Heat a large (12-inch ) oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, green bell pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the cooked bacon crumbles, beans, Rotel, barbecue sauce, and Dijon mustard. Mix everything until well combined.
- Make the Cornbread Topping: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Assemble and Bake: Carefully pour the cornbread batter over the bean mixture in the skillet, spreading it out evenly to cover the beans completely.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
- Pro Tip: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the bean mixture to a 9-13-inch baking dish before adding the cornbread topping.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I wasn’t sure how the flavors would come together, but wow, this was comfort food at its finest! The cornbread topping was perfectly fluffy, and the filling underneath was hearty and packed with flavor. My whole family loved it, and it’s already been requested again!
I’m so happy to hear your family enjoyed it! There’s nothing like a warm, comforting casserole to bring everyone to the table. Thanks for trying it out!
This was pure comfort food. The cornbread topping was fluffy and golden, and the filling was savory and satisfying.
Thanks, Tom! Couldn’t agree more — it’s comfort on a plate.