Wanted to share one of my family’s favorite meals!
We call it cowboy casserole and it makes a lots of food for cheap.
Our kids are little so we make it mild, but I’ve definitely used the original rotel and I’ve put sliced jalapeños on top of the cornbread when I wanted some heat. I love this recipe bc it’s totally customizable and you can switch up the flavor a lot.
Ingredients:
1-1.5 lb ground beef
1 can ranch style beans
1 can rotel
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
1 can cream style corn
2 boxes jiffy cornbread mix (you’ll need eggs and milk to make the cornbread according to directions).
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. In a large pan, brown ground beef with whatever seasonings you want. I usually do onion and garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt. Drain meat when done.
3. Add rotel, beans and whole kernel corn to the ground beef. Bring to a boil and the lower to let simmer while you prepare the cornbread.
4. In a mixing bowl, pour in the 2 boxes of cornbread mix, with the other ingredients according to directions on the box. Once all stirred up, add the can of cream style corn and stir.
5. Put ground beef mixture in a 13×9 casserole dish, and top with cornbread mixture.
6. Bake at 400° for 20-30 mins, until cornbread is golden.
My husband eats it with hot sauce, my kids eat it plain, and I throw shredded cheese and sour cream on mine and mix it all up in a bowl!
I hope y’all enjoy it!
FAQ – Cowboy Casserole
Q: Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef? A: Absolutely! You can easily substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the casserole.
Q: Are there any vegetarian alternatives for the ground beef? A: You can try using meat alternatives like crumbled tofu, textured vegetable protein (TVP), or plant-based ground meat substitutes.
Q: Can I make the cornbread from scratch instead of using Jiffy mix? A: Certainly! Feel free to use your favorite homemade cornbread recipe if you prefer. Adjust the quantities accordingly.
Q: Can I use fresh corn instead of canned whole kernel corn? A: Yes, fresh corn can be a great alternative. Just make sure to cook it a bit longer with the ground beef mixture if using fresh corn kernels.
Q: What other toppings can I add to customize the casserole? A: You can get creative with toppings! Sliced jalapeños, shredded cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, or even diced avocados could be fantastic additions.
Q: Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time? A: Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it before baking. When ready to serve, just bake as directed in the recipe.
Q: How long does the casserole leftovers last in the fridge? A: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Q: Can I freeze the casserole for later? A: Yes, you can freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before baking.
Q: Is this recipe suitable for a large gathering or potluck? A: Absolutely! It makes a generous amount, making it ideal for feeding a crowd or bringing to a potluck.
Q: Can I make it spicier? A: Yes, you can adjust the heat level by using spicier varieties of ingredients or adding additional spices and hot sauce to the ground beef mixture.
