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Home / Recipes / Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole

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Author:

Kimber Matherne

Updated:

September 15, 2025

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This Cowboy Casserole has it all! With ground beef, beans, and corn in a saucy taco-seasoned base, the filling is absolutely delicious. The golden, tender cornbread topping steals the show. One pan, total crowd-pleaser, and guaranteed family favorite.

A spoon scoops out a serving of cowboy casserole from a cast-iron skillet this Recipe

Table of contents

Toggle
  • Why I LOVE this recipe!
  • Recipe Notes
  • Ingredients + Substitutions
  • Recipe Variations
  • Recipe Step by Step
  • Recipe Tips
  • Recipe Short Cuts
  • Freezer Meal Instructions
  • What to Serve with Cowboy Casserole
  • Cowboy Casserole Leftovers
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More EASY Casserole Recipes
  • Cowboy Casserole Recipe

This cowboy cornbread casserole definitely deserves a spot in your family dinner rotation! Not only is it super easy to make, it’s a hit at the table every single time.

There are a few versions of Cowboy Casserole out there, but in my opinion, this is the ultimate cowboy casserole. It’s all about the cornbread lid! This cowboy casserole with cornbread is almost like a shepherds pie or pot pie, but with all the Tex-Mex vibes – and less fussy to make, too. A win all around!

Why I LOVE this recipe!

  • All-in-one dish – This cowboy casserole with beans, ground beef, veggies, and cornbread has it all! Fiber, protein, carbs … if you serve it up by itself, it’s still easily a full meal.
  • Great for meal prep – I’ll often make the filling ahead of time and refrigerate it or freeze it. Then it’s just a matter of spreading the filling in a pan or baking dish, topping with cornbread, and baking. Perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Family fave – This cowboy cornbread casserole has all the flavors my family loves. Cowboy Casserole night is always a hit!

What is Cowboy Casserole?

Cowboy casserole is a type of casserole or hot dish that’s popular in the Midwest. It’s made with a taco-seasoned ground beef filling then finished off with either a layer of tater tots or cornbread.

Recipe Notes

This Cowboy Casserole recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few pantry ingredients and 15 minutes prep for a family friendly dinner.

In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Cowboy Casserole to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Ingredients for Cowboy Casserole

For the casserole:

  • Ground beef – You’ll need 1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef, such as 88/12 or 90/10.
  • Onion – I like to use yellow onion, but if you have white or red onion, that will work fine too.
  • Bell pepper – One green bell pepper, seeded and diced.
  • Pinto beans – You’ll need one can of pinto beans, drained. That’s about 1 1/2 cups of beans.
  • Corn – 1 can of corn, drained. You can also use 1 1/2 cups of frozen thawed corn if that’s what you have.
  • Rotel with green chiles – The flavorful tomatoes and chiles add loads of flavor to this cowboy cornbread casserole.
  • Tomato sauce – For an extra saucy, flavorful base.
  • Taco seasoning – Grab your favorite brand at the store or make your own homemade taco seasoning.
  • Toppings – I like a generous dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro on this ground beef cowboy casserole.

For the Jiffy cornbread topping:

  • Jiffy cornbread mix – You’ll need one 8.5 ounce box of cornbread mix.
  • Egg – Just one large egg.
  • Creamed corn – One cup of creamed corn helps to create a moist and tender cornbread lid for this easy cowboy casserole.

Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!

  • Spicy Cowboy Casserole– Add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the ground beef. Sub in hot Rotel for some extra heat. Top cornbread with sliced jalapeno peppers.
  • Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole– Omit the cornbread topping and instead line frozen tater tots all along the top. Sprinkle some shredded cheddar over the top and bake.
  • Ground Turkey Cowboy Casserole– Swap in ground turkey for the ground beef for a leaner version of this easy cowboy casserole.

Recipe Step by Step

I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Cowboy Casserole.

Step 1 of how to make Cowboy Casserole - mix together the cornbread

Mix together the cornbread mix, egg, and cream corn. Set aside.

Step 2 of how to make Cowboy Casserole - cook the ground beef, onions, and peppers

Brown the ground beef along with the onion and bell pepper. Drain any excess fat.

Step 2 of how to make Cowboy Casserole - add the beans, corn, rotel, tomato sauce, and seasoning

Add the beans, corn, Rotel, tomato sauce, and seasoning.

Step 4 of how to make Cowboy Casserole - mix and simmer

Mix to combine and simmer together for a few minutes.

Step 5 of how to make Cowboy Casserole - spread cornbread batter over the top

Evenly spread the cornbread batter over the top of the beef filling.

Step 6 of how to make Cowboy Casserole - bake until golden and bubbling

Bake until the cornbread is cooked through and the filling is hot and bubbly.

Recipe Tips

  1. Use an oven-safe skillet – Start the ground beef and veggies in a oven-safe skillet such as a large castiron pan. That way you can cook up the filling, top with cornbread mix, and slide it directly into the oven to bake.
  2. Let the ground beef brown – When making cowboy casserole ground beef can add lots of flavor! Instead of constantly stirring it, let it sit for a bit while cooking so it has a chance to really brown, almost forming a crust in some spots. This is how you get that caramelized flavor.

Recipe Short Cuts

If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!

  • Prep ahead – Whip up the ground beef filling, cool, and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for 3-4 days. Preheat the oven and prep the cornbread batter. Spread the batter over the top and bake!
  • Freeze ahead – You can freeze this ground beef cowboy casserole before or after cooking. Scroll to the “Freezer Meal Instructions” section for details.
  • Use pre-diced veggies – Diced onion and bell pepper can be found at many stores. Pick some up and save yourself some chopping.
A serving of cowboy casserole with sour cream and cilantro on a white plate.

Freezer Meal Instructions

Making this Cowboy Casserole recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To freeze before cooking

  1. Make the filling, let it cool, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight freezer-safe container. Freeze.
  2. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  3. Spread thawed filling in a castiron pan or 8×8 baking dish.
  4. Mix up cornbread batter and spread it over the top.
  5. Bake until the cornbread is set and the Cowboy Casserole is warmed through.

How to Freeze Cowboy Casserole After Cooking

  1. Bake and let cool to room temp. Cover tightly.
  2. Freeze for up to 6 months.
  3. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  4. Microwave individual servings or heat entire Cowboy Casserole in the oven until warmed through.

What to Serve with Cowboy Casserole

Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite southwestern and Mexican-inspired side dishes.

Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

Side Dish Ideas

  • Southwest Corn
  • Southwest Rice
  • Mexican Corn Salad
  • Mexican Caesar Salad

Cowboy Casserole Leftovers

If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.

To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:

  • in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
  • in the freezer up to a month

Leftover Recipes

Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!

  • Cowboy Casserole Bowl– Warm up leftover cowboy casserole in a bowl. Top with cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, sour cream, and sliced scallions.
  • Cowboy Casserole Stuffed Peppers– Cut the tops off of bell peppers and scoop out the seeds. Mix together leftover cowboy casserole with some cooked rice. Stuff the peppers, top with some shredded cheese, and bake until the peppers are tender and heated through.

Recipe FAQ’s

What are the 5 components of a casserole?

Casseroles usually have a starch, a protein, veggies, a sauce, and often a topping like cheese, breadcrumbs, potatoes, biscuits, or – in this case – cornbread!

Is this cowboy cornbread casserole the same as John Wayne casserole?

It’s similar, but not quite the same. Like this Cowboy Casserole, John Wayne casserole is made with ground beef and taco seasoning, but it also has jalapeno peppers and a biscuit topper (instead of cornbread.)

More EASY Casserole Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!

You can check out all of my easy casserole recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.

  • Chili Cheese Meatball Bake
  • Baked Chicken Spaghetti
  • Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole with Ground Turkey
  • Jiffy Corn Casserole
A spoon scoops out a serving of cowboy casserole from a cast-iron skillet

Cowboy Casserole

By: Kimber Matherne
5 from 2 votes
This easy ground beef casserole has it all! A saucy taco-seasoned filling with beef, beans, Rotel, and more, topped with tender cornbread and baked until bubbling hot and perfect. A family fave!
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
8 servings
Rate this Recipe Print Pin SaveSaved!

Ingredients 

  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can pinto beans (16 ounces), drained
  • 1 can corn (15.25 ounces), drained
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles (10 ounces)
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce, (1 small can)
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning

For the jiffy cornbread topping

  • 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix (8.5 ounce)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup creamed corn

Toppings (optional)

  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375˚F.
  • In a medium bowl, prepare the cornbread topping by mixing together the jiffy cornbread mix, egg, and creamed corn. Set aside.
  • In a large, oven-safe skillet, add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook on medium high until the the beef is browned and the onion and peppers are soft. Drain any excess grease and return to skillet.
  • Reduce heat to low and add in the pinto beans, corn, Rotel, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Mix to combine and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  • Spread the cornbread mixture over the top of the beef in a thin, even layer. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cornbread is set.
  • Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @easyfamilyrecipes!

Recipe Notes

Substitutions:
  • Ground beef: Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted. 
  • Pinto beans: Black beans can be used instead. 
  • Corn: 1 1/2 cups of frozen thawed corn can be swapped in for the can of corn. 
How to Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 
How to Freeze: This Cowboy Casserole recipe freezes well. It can be frozen before or after cooking. See “Freezer Meal Instructions” section in the original post for full instructions.
How to Reheat: This can be reheated in the microwave in 30 second increments, stir in between heating, or cover with tin foil and place into the oven to reheat. 
How to Scale: This recipe can easily be doubled if you are feeding a crowd or halved for smaller portions. I suggest sizing the skillet up or down accordingly. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 361kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 45g (15%), Protein: 26g (52%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 74mg (25%), Sodium: 806mg (35%), Potassium: 792mg (23%), Fiber: 7g (29%), Sugar: 13g (14%), Vitamin A: 837IU (17%), Vitamin C: 29mg (35%), Calcium: 79mg (8%), Iron: 5mg (28%)

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8 responses

  1. Amanda
    September 26, 2025

    So good! I subbed the pinto beans with a can of refried beans due to my young children preferring to not see beans (ha). Tasted great!

    Reply
    1. Kimber Matherne
      September 26, 2025

      What a great idea! It probably makes it creamier too!

      Reply
  2. Lauren Meckstroth
    September 22, 2025

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious and so easy! Will be adding this into the rotation. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Sandy
    September 21, 2025

    I love this recipe! I live in a high rise building and shared it with some neighbors and they all raved about how good it tastes. I raved about how simple it is to make. Excellent and filling. It will be a regular at my apartment now. Sandy.

    Reply
    1. Kimber Matherne
      September 21, 2025

      I love that so much! What a great dish to share with friends.

      Reply
  4. Dick Ward
    September 19, 2025

    5 stars
    Easy to make and absolutely delicious! We LOVED it!

    Reply
  5. Kathryn
    September 17, 2025

    I don’t care for Rotel… (or any chunky/diced tomato product)…Can I omit it and maybe increase the tomato sauce a bit? Everything else in this recipe sounds amazing. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Rachael Hart
    September 15, 2025

    A question about the cornbread topping: my fam’s ride-or-die cornbread is the Krusteaz mix, and it comes in a larger box than the jiffy mix. When substituting the Krusteaz, should I omit the creamed corn, or just go ahead and mix the creamed corn into the larger volume Krusteaz mix?

    Reply
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Vertical collage of four numbered images showing the steps for how to make Cowboy Casserole
Vertical collage of four images showing the steps for how to make Cowboy Casserole
Two images, the first shows the ingredients for Cowboy Casserole. The second shows a serving being scooped out of a castiron skillet. The text reads, “Cowboy Casserole”
Two images, the first shows the ingredients for the filling for Cowboy Casserole. The second shows a serving on a plate. The text reads, “Cowboy Casserole”
A spoon scoops out a serving of cowboy casserole from a cast-iron skillet. The text reads, “Cowboy Casserole”
A serving of cowboy casserole with sour cream and cilantro on a white plate. The text reads, “Cowboy Casserole”

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