Viral Cornbread Cowboy Casserole 🌽🥘
Hearty, cheesy, and perfect for family dinners or potlucks—comfort food at its finest!
This casserole layers savory beef, creamy corn, and a golden cornbread topping, giving you a filling, crowd-pleasing dish in one pan.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the Filling
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1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for lighter version)
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1 small onion, diced
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1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
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1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
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1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp chili powder
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
For the Cornbread Topping
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1 cup cornbread mix (or homemade cornbread batter)
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⅓ cup milk
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1 egg
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2 Tbsp butter, melted
👩🍳 Instructions
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Preheat oven
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375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Cook the filling
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In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion until fully cooked.
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Stir in corn, black beans, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
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Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar.
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Prepare cornbread topping
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In a bowl, mix cornbread mix, milk, egg, and melted butter according to package or recipe instructions.
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Assemble casserole
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Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly in the baking dish.
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Pour cornbread batter over top and spread gently.
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Sprinkle extra cheddar cheese on top if desired.
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Bake
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Bake 25–30 minutes, until cornbread is golden and set.
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Serve
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Let cool 5 minutes before slicing.
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🌟 Pro Tips
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Extra moisture: If filling seems dry, add 2–3 Tbsp milk or broth.
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Make it spicy: Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños.
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Cheesy crust: Sprinkle cheddar on top halfway through baking for a melty layer.
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Meal prep: Can be made ahead and baked later; just add 5–10 extra minutes if chilled.
🔄 Variations
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Southwest style: Add diced bell peppers, salsa, and cumin
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Vegetarian: Swap meat for extra beans or roasted vegetables
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Creamy twist: Stir ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt into filling
🍽️ Serving Ideas
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With a side salad
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Topped with avocado slices or sour cream
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Alongside pickled jalapeños or hot sauce
If you want, I can also give a quick 20-minute skillet version that uses cornbread mix right on top without pre-baking, perfect for weeknight dinners.