This Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is a savory and satisfying dish that combines ground beef, bacon, and sausage with a medley of flavorful vegetables and hearty baked beans. It’s topped with a layer of golden, cheesy cornbread, adding a delightful contrast of textures and flavors to this comforting meal.
There are several versions of this cowboy cornbread casserole and this is my take on this hearty meal. Mostly inspired by casserole recipes found in old cookbooks. You know, the ones filled with comforting dishes you know are tried and true!
My family loves comforting meals such as this, and this Homemade Hamburger Helper happens to be our family’s absolute favorite. Another casserole inspired by nostalgic food is this Runza Casserole. It has all the flavor but is way easier to make.
So Much To Love About This Cowboy Cornbread Casserole:
- Loaded with savory flavor
- Made with easy-to-find ingredients
- Freezer-friendly
- Super easy to make and enjoy any night of the week
Ingredient Notes:
MEAT: To make this recipe really hearty, I am using three different meats. I chose bacon and sausage (which you will find in many “cowboy” recipes) but added ground beef as well. Feel free to change up the meat if you prefer, but keep in mind it will change the taste of the final dish.
VEGGIES: The vegetables are onion, bell pepper, and garlic. I have also used shredded zucchini in the mix!
BEANS: Please use a brand of baked beans you enjoy, as this will flavor the dish with the flavors you love. BBQ sauce, brown sugar, cumin, and chili powder are all added to really enhance the baked bean flavor.
TOPPING: The fluffy cornbread topping is made from flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, and cheese.
How To Make Cowboy Cornbread Casserole:
This is just a quick overview of the method for this casserole. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
STEP 1: Brown the bacon, ground beef, and sausage with the bell pepper and onion until ground beef is no longer pink. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain any grease.
STEP 2: Stir in the remaining ingredients and pour into a 9×13 baking dish if you didn’t use an oven-going skillet such as cast iron.
STEP 3: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk, eggs, butter, and cheese.
STEP 4: Spread the cornbread topping over the meat mixture and bake until the cornbread topping is golden and a toothpick comes clean when inserted in the center.
FAQs
Cooled leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or covered with foil and reheated in the oven.
I like to make this casserole in a freezer-safe container or foil pan. Cool completely then cover with heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
You can omit the brown sugar and use a lower sugar baked bean and BBQ sauce. Use lean ground beef and look for a sausage that may be lower in fat and sodium.
Serving Suggestions:
There are several options you can serve with this casserole. Keep it light and serve it with these Marinated Tomatoes and a simple side salad. Or try this Grilled Corn Salad with Tomato and Avocado. My family also really enjoys this Tomato, Cucumber, and Avocado Salad.
Substitutions:
GLUTEN-FREE: To make this gluten-free use a cup for cup gluten-free baking blend in place of the flour and make sure the cornmeal is gluten-free.
CORNBREAD MIX: To save some time you can use a boxed cornbread mix. Just add the cheese at the end. Can also use a gluten-free cornbread mix.
MORE VEGGIES: I like to add shredded zucchini to add more vegetables. You can also reduce the amount of beans or meat if you add in zucchini to help reduce cost.
MEAT: You can use ground turkey or a turkey kielbasa in place of the ground beef and kielbasa. It will change the flavor of the final dish.
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Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Ingredients
BEEF LAYER
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
- 12-14 ounces (340-396g) kielbasa sausage, diced
- 6 strips thick cut bacon, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28oz) (794g) can baked beans
- ½ cup (120ml) BBQ sauce
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
CORNBREAD TOPPING:
- 1 cup (190g) cornmeal
- 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (235ml) milk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (55g) butter, melted
- 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- In a large oven going skillet, brown the ground beef, sausage, bacon, bell pepper, and onion until ground beef is no longer pink. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain any grease.
- Stir in the baked beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, and cumin.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, butter, and cheese and stir just until combined.
- Spread over the meat mixture and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cornbread comes out clean.
Notes
- If you don’t have an oven-going skillet, you can use a 9×13 baking dish.
- NUTRITION: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. This website is not intended as nutritional advice, or a diet or health plan. Readers of this website are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to their health.
Sounds yummy. Will have to try it soon.
It’s a great casserole!