Cowboy Cornbread Casserole with Ground Beef

This Cowboy Cornbread Casserole made in the crockpot is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines ground beef, pinto beans, corn, taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, and a cornbread muffin mix, and is perfect for any night of the week.

Easy Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

Take one bite of this cornbread casserole and you will be hooked. I swear I ate three pieces of this casserole the first time I made it because it is slightly addictive. It's like you just can't stop yourself because it's so incredible.

Sweet cornbread combines with ground beef, beans, and corn to make a simple one-pot dinner that is gobbled up by adults and kids alike! This recipe also goes by Mexican Cornbread Casserole since it includes taco seasoning and green chilies which gives it a Mexican food vibe. This recipe is similar to my easy Crockpot Cowboy Casserole with the delicious addition of cornbread.

Ingredients for Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

The ingredients you'll need for cowboy cornbread casserole are easy to find in your pantry or at your grocery store. You can find the full recipe and instructions at the bottom of the blog post.

Some cornbread casserole recipes use Jiffy Cornbread mix but I always cook with gluten-free products like Krusteaz Gluten-Free cornbread mix and it works great. This box is a little larger so you only need one box for the recipe. If you don't need to use gluten-free products make sure to grab 2 boxes of the Jiffy Cornbread mix.

Here's what you'll need:

Filling

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of corn, drained
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 1 can of Rotel tomatoes

Cornbread Muffin Mixture

• 1 package of cornbread muffin mix
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Cowboy Cornbread

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until it's fully cooked. Break up the meat as it cooks with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the cornbread muffin mix according to the package instructions.
3. In a crockpot, add the cooked ground beef, drained pinto beans, drained corn, and the can of Rotel tomatoes and taco seasoning. Stir to combine.
4. Pour the cornbread muffin mix on top of the beef and bean mixture in the crockpot. Mix it thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
5. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until the cornbread is cooked through. Make sure to give it the toothpick test to see if it's finished cooking. (See tips and tricks below)
6. Serve the cowboy cornbread casserole hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced tomatoes.

Cowboy Casserole Cornbread Recipe

Cowboy cornbread casserole is a classic dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd. The dish has rich flavors, which come from the combination of ingredients like ground beef, pinto beans, corn, and taco seasoning. The cornbread muffin mix is what makes this dish truly unique. It adds a layer of sweetness and texture that perfectly complements the flavors of the other ingredients.

Perfect Potluck Casserole

If you are looking for the perfect casserole to bring to the next potluck you have to make this dish. I promise everyone will ask you for the recipe. The sweet cornbread combo always makes this crockpot casserole a favorite at potlucks, parties, and barbeques.

The cornbread cooks into other ingredients, which allows it to soak up all of the delicious flavors and become moist and tender. Two other great potluck dishes you can try like this one is my cornbread casserole and cowboy beans!

I love to bring this casserole to potlucks because it is so hearty and easy to make. Plus, I can make it in the crockpot and keep it warm so it stays fresh throughout the party. I use my Cook and Carry Crockpot since the lid locks while I travel than just plug it in when I arrive at the party.

Hearty Side Dish

Don't make this for just a main dish! You can also serve this as a side dish for a meal. I love to make this Corn Casserole when I make Mexican food or a roast. This cornbread is the perfect compliment to Carne Asada Tacos, Pork Carnitas, or just an option in a buffet dinner. The flavors go with most meals making it a quick side dish that you can fix and forget about while making dinner. It would even be a fun side dish for Thanksgiving!

What to Serve with Mexican Cornbread Casserole?

Cowboy cornbread casserole is a complete meal in itself, but if you're looking to add some extra side dishes to your dinner, there are plenty of options that would go well with this dish. Here are a few ideas:

• Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would be a great way to balance out the richness of the casserole.
• Roasted vegetables: Roasted carrots, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts would be a great way to add some extra veggies to your meal.
• Guacamole and chips: The creamy, cool texture of guacamole would be a perfect contrast to the warm and savory casserole.

How to Store Cornbread Cowboy Casserole

If you have leftovers of cowboy cornbread casserole, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave it for a few minutes or bake it in the oven until it's heated throughout.

Another option for storing leftover cowboy cornbread casserole is to freeze it. This dish freezes well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave when you're ready to eat it. To freeze, let the casserole cool completely and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Label and date the package, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat?

To reheat frozen cowboy cornbread casserole, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, remove the plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place the casserole in a baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

Cowboy cornbread casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or feeding a crowd. This recipe is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Customize Your Casserole

Cowboy cornbread casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be customized to suit your tastes or dietary restrictions. I always like to take a look at what I have in my pantry before I head out to the grocery store to see what I can use up for recipes like this.

Here are a few ideas to get you going on how you can use what you have or what you like! The sky's the limit since this cornbread casserole pairs well with almost everything. I like to have a balance of meat and veggies when I whip this dinner up so it is filling and can be served on its own. However, create your own Cowboy Casserole just like they use to do it out on the range.

• Ground beef: You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken in this recipe. You could also use a vegetarian ground beef substitute, such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Meat, to make this recipe meatless.
• Pinto beans: If you're not a fan of pinto beans, you can use black beans, kidney beans, or baked beans instead. You could also use a can of mixed beans to add some variety to the dish.
• Corn: If you don't like corn or want to add some extra vegetables to the dish, you could use diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms instead. You can also use creamed corn if you have that on hand instead.
• Make your own cornbread muffin mix and Taco seasoning if you don't like pre-made ingredients. I have the ingredients below for both.
• Rotel tomatoes: If you don't have Rotel tomatoes, you could use a can of diced tomatoes and a can of diced green chilies.
• Cheese: You can use any type of shredded cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.

Homemade Seasoning and Cornbread Mix

If you need to watch your sodium or just want to avoid additives found in premade food you can take a few extra steps and make your own Taco Seasoning and Cornbread Mix. I use to do this before they made gluten-free seasoning packets and cornbread mix. Plus, you can control all the ingredients by making them yourself. Here's what you need to make your own.

Be sure to make the cornbread mixture separately from the rest of the ingredients.

Taco Seasoning Ingredients

Mix everything together in a small bowl.

• 2 teaspoons garlic
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin 
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder (or regular)

Cornbread Muffin Mix

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• Optional- ¼ cup honey

Here's my link to the instructions for making your own Taco Seasoning and more common seasoning packets.

By making these simple substitutions, you can customize cowboy cornbread casserole to suit your taste preferences or dietary restrictions. This Mexican Cornbread Casserole is so easy to make with different ingredients so just swap what works best for your tastes.

Budget Friendly Dinner Idea

This cornbread casserole is a great way to stretch out your budget. I love to check my grocery store for what is on sale that week. Once I know what is on sale I base my meals off of the deals I can find. Plus, I always make sure to stock up on canned beans and corn when they go on sale.

The week I made this recipe ground beef and cheese were both on sale at my grocery store so I was able to make the whole meal for way less than eating out. The cheese, beans, and corn were each under $1, which is my kind of meal. So if you are looking for inexpensive dinners give this recipe a try.

Can I make cowboy cornbread casserole in the oven instead of the crockpot?

Yes, you can make cowboy cornbread casserole in the oven. Follow the directions the same as the Crockpot version. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.