I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the cowboy cornbread casserole recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of cooking the cowboy cornbread casserole. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips, and much more.
What is Cowboy Cornbread Casserole?
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that mixes the savoury filling with cornbread, highlighting the essence of Tex-Mex or Southwestern cuisine. It generally contains ingredients such as beans, corn, ground beef or turkey and veggies such as onions and bell peppers, all seasoned with cumin and chilli powder.
It is generally topped with cheese and baked until turns golden brown, offering a flavourful crunchy layer. This meal is great for weeknight gatherings, potlucks or family dinners, which allows you to customize the ingredients based on your liking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Satisfying: The combination of spices, the sweetness of cornbread, and delicious filling highlights the comforting and satisfying flavour.
- Easy to Prepare: You can easily prepare this recipe with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a suitable option for casual gatherings or busy weeknights.
- Versatile Ingredients: You can easily customize this recipe based on your preference. You can add protein, vegetables and spiciness to make the dish your own.
- Kid-Friendly: The mix of savoury filling and cornbread is generally loved by kids, making it a nice option for families that everyone will enjoy.
Tips
- Layering Ingredients: You can sstart with a layer of beans, seasoned ground beef and corn. It provides a strong base which absorbs the flavours.
- Cornbread Topping: You can try a cornbread mix for an easy and quick topping. Just spread it evenly over the meat to ensure the baking process evenly.
- Cheese Addition: You can try putting the shredded cheese on top or between the layers to improve the flavour and offer a gooey texture.
- Spice it Up: You can add spices such as cumin or chilli powder for a spicy touch and make it taste better.
- Baking Time: The baking time for each casserole should be around 25-30 minutes, ensure that the casserole is baked until it is well-cooked and golden brown.
Variations
- Vegetarian Cowboy Cornbread Casserole: You can go for a mix of cooked vegetables such as zucchini, onions bell peppers, corn and beans instead of using meat for a vegetarian option.
- Tex-Mex Cornbread Casserole: You can add taco seasoning to the meat and add jalapenos, diced tomatoes and a mix of Mexican cheeses. It provides a delicious and spicy texture to the dish.
- Buffalo Chicken Cornbread Casserole: For a citrusy and spicy taste, you can try adding shredded chicken with ranch dressing and buffalo sauce. You can also add blue cheese and cornbread as topping for a fun flavour.
- Mushroom and Spinach Cornbread Casserole: You can cook spinach and mushrooms for a delicious filling. This variation provides earthiness and depth of flavour by keeping it vegetarian.
- Southwestern Chicken Cornbread Casserole: You can use shredded cooked chicken and include corn, black beans and diced green chilies instead of ground beef. It offers a lighter choice with a tangy southwestern flavour.
Serving Suggestions
- Green Salad: You can try a green salad with a mix of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette, which provide a refreshing flavour to the casserole.
- Coleslaw: You can try a zesty coleslaw which offers a delicious flavour and crispy texture that complements the cornbread casserole.
- Guacamole and Tortilla Chips: You can try a creamy guacamole with crunchy tortilla chips for a great appetizer or side that highlight the essence of southwestern theme.
- Corn on the Cob: You can try either a boiled or grilled corn for a classic side that complements cornbread’s sweet flavour.
- Baked Beans: You can try savoury and sweet baked beans for a perfect side dish which offers an extra boost of protein to the meal.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
- Before storing, let the casserole cool at room temperature.
- You can store the cornbread casserole in an air-tight container or cover tighly in an aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing
- Before freezing, let the casserole cool completely at room temperature.
- You can wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap or use a freezer-safe air-tight container for freezing.
- Label the container or plastic wrap with the date and content to keep track of the freshness.
- You can put it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cowboy cornbread casserole recipe offers a delightful meal that highlights the heartiness of cornbread and the taste of cowboy dish. Whether you are organizing a potluck or a weeknight dinner, this meal is sure to please everyone’s taste buds.
So why don’t you give this cowboy cassrole a try? Grab your ingredients and start enjoy the cooking process. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
Read More:- Crack Potatoes Recipe
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole Recipe
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a delicious and heart dish that mixes the savoury filling with cornbread, highlighting the essence of Tex-Mex or Southwestern cuisine.
Ingredients
- For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped (any color)
- 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can 15 oz corn, drained
- 1 can 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Cornbread Topping:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
Instructions
- Set the temperature of the oven to 200 C (400 F).
- In a large pan, heat the ground beef containing bell pepper and chopped onions over medium flame until the veggies are tender and meat is well cooked. Remove the excess fat.
- Mix in the black beans, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, corn, salt and pepper. Cook until well warmed, it may take around 5 minutes. Take it off from the heat.
- In a large-sized mixing bowl, mix the cornmeal, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the vegetable oil, milk and eggs. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until they are just combined. You can also mix in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a greased 9 X 13 inch baking dish, evenly spread the bean mixture and the meat across the bottom.
- Gently distribute the cornbread batter until it covers the entire filling.
- Bake in the oven until it turns golden brown and the toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean, it may take around 30 minutes.
- It’s time to serve the cornbread casserole. For an extra flavour, you can top it with chopped green onions, sour cream or additional cheese.
