It’s made with juicy ground beef topped with melty cheese topped with crumbly cornbread. It’s the cheeseburger and shepherd’s pie mash-up you never thought you needed. If you aren’t a fan yet, one bite of this casserole will make you fall in love with southern cooking. The layers of beef, cheese, and cornbread are just pure satisfaction.  Best of all, cowboy cornbread is easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make the most scrumptious dish in under an hour. In need of an easy yet delicious meal that will feed a crowd? This savory dish is your answered prayer.

Cowboy Cornbread

Cowboy cornbread is a classic southern dish comprising beef, cheese, and cornbread. Think of it as a cheeseburger with cornbread for its bun. How fantastic is that? With its three different layers, cowboy cornbread is a hearty and filling dish you can enjoy on its own. You need not worry about side dishes. This dish is more than enough to fill your tummy and make your heart happy.

Ingredients

Ground Beef – The meat component of the dish. Other types of meat could work, too. I have several suggestions below.Onion – It’s optional, but I love the flavor it adds to the beef. Cornbread Mix – There’s no need to make cornbread from scratch! You’ll use a trusty boxed mix for this recipe. This recipe calls for yellow cornbread mix, but corn muffin mix works, too. Milk – Because every boxed mix needs a type of liquid.Eggs – To bind the cornbread mix and give it structure.Creamed Corn – You’re making cornbread, after all! Use canned cream corn for extra moisture.Cheddar Cheese – For a rich and cheesy casserole. Beef, cheese, and cornbread make the most drool-worthy combo!Butter – It’s also optional, but highly recommended. There’s nothing like freshly-baked cornbread slathered with butter!

Tips for the Best Dish

For a sweeter cornbread, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar to the mix.There is no such thing as too much cheese! Add shredded cheese to the cornbread mixture for a richer casserole.Adjust the size of the casserole depending on how thin or thick you want the cornbread crust. For a thinner crust, use a 7×11-inch dish. For a thicker crust, use an 8×8-inch dish.If the cornbread starts to brown before the baking time is up, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.Give the casserole 5 minutes post-baking before digging in.To store leftover cowboy cornbread, first, be sure it’s completely cooled to room temperature. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.Use the freezer to extend its shelf-life. Double wrap the casserole with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop the casserole in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.To reheat smaller portions, microwave for a minute or until heated through.To make casserole ahead of time, prepare the meat mixture and pour it into the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake. Let the filling sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. Add the layers of cheese and cornbread mix, and bake according to instructions.

What to Serve with Cowboy Cornbread

It’s is a complete and scrumptious meal in and of itself. But if you want to make your feast even more memorable, serve it with these sides.

Salad – Something light to dial down the richness of the dish.Roasted Broccoli -The crunch complements the tenderness of the cornbread.Green Beans – It’s also a light and crunchy side dish that adds a pop of color to your meal.Fries – This dish is essentially a cheeseburger casserole, and what pairs better with a burger than some good old French fries?

Variations

Want to make your friends fall in love with your cowboy cornbread even more? Finish it off with toppings. Whether it’s jalapenos, chilis, bacon, sour cream, or even more cheese, you can’t go wrong. Not everyone is a fan of cilantro, but if you are, by all means, add it to the dish! Add more excitement to the filling. Sure, ground beef is already tasty enough, but there are many ways to make it even more irresistible. For a Tex-Mex flavor, add corn kernels, carrots, and beans to the meat filling. Apart from the flavor, these ingredients will also add color to the casserole.You know what tastes amazing with cornbread? Barbecue! Add a sweet and smoky contrast to the sweet cornbread by drizzling barbecue sauce over the casserole. Delish.Use a different type of meat. Who says you have to use only beef? Cowboy cornbread tastes delicious no matter what meat you use, so feel free to experiment. Ground pork, turkey, and chicken all make great alternatives.

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