Hey everyone! I’m Azeem from FoodMinty.com, cooking up easy meals in my Texas kitchen. This cowboy cornbread casserole with Jiffy mix is one of those hearty dishes I turn to on busy weeknights or when feeding a crowd. I made it last month for a game day potluck, and it was gone before halftime—everyone kept asking for seconds! It’s got that classic cowboy vibe: ground beef, beans, corn, all topped with a sweet cornbread layer from Jiffy mix. Comfort food at its best, and it comes together in under an hour.
Why I Love This Recipe
- One-dish wonder: Everything bakes together.
- Budget-friendly with pantry staples.
- Kid-approved (my family devours it).
- Great for leftovers—tastes even better the next day.
I’ve been making versions of this for years, tweaking it to make it extra cheesy and flavorful.
Ingredients (Serves 6-8)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) ranch-style beans or pinto beans, undrained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), drained
- 1 package (8.5 oz) Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, chili powder (about 1 tsp each)
Optional add-ins: bell pepper or jalapeños for heat.
Easy Steps to Make It
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Brown the beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink. Drain fat. Stir in corn, beans, tomatoes, and seasonings. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Layer it: Pour the beef mixture into your baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.
- Make the topping: In a bowl, mix Jiffy mix, egg, and milk until just combined (it’ll be lumpy—that’s okay!). Spread over the beef layer.
- Bake: Pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread is golden. Add extra cheese on top in the last 5 minutes if you want it melty.
Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving—makes cutting easier.
My Tips from Experience
- Use Jiffy—it’s sweeter and pairs perfectly with the savory beef.
- Don’t overmix the cornbread batter; keeps it tender.
- For crispier top, broil for the last 2 minutes.
- Make it spicier with extra chiles or hot sauce.
- Stores great in the fridge for 3 days.
One time I added too much liquid, and it got soggy—now I always drain well!
Quick Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~450
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 40g
(Rough estimate—perfect for a filling meal.)
Final Thoughts
This cowboy cornbread casserole with Jiffy mix is pure comfort in a casserole dish. Give it a try next time you need an easy dinner winner! I’m Azeem @ FoodMinty.com—real recipes from my home kitchen. Let me know in the comments if you make it or what you add!
Happy cooking! —Azeem
FAQs
Can I use something else instead of Jiffy mix?
Yeah, no problem! Any other corn muffin mix will do the trick. Or just whip up your own cornbread batter if you feel like it. Lots of folks use two boxes of Jiffy to make the top layer thicker and fluffier—just throw in some creamed corn or sour cream to keep it nice and moist.
Why is mine coming out kinda soupy? How do I stop that?
It usually happens because of the liquid from the Rotel tomatoes or the beans. Make sure you drain the tomatoes really well (I even squeeze them a bit) and rinse the beans. Also, let the meat mixture cook on the stove a few extra minutes to boil off some of that juice before you add the cornbread batter on top.
I don’t want to use ground beef—what else works?
Ground turkey or chicken is awesome and makes it a little lighter. If you want to go meat-free, just add more beans, some sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. Still super filling and tasty!
How long do leftovers last and how should I keep them?
They’ll stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days if you cover them tight. You can also freeze the whole thing (either already baked or put together and frozen before baking) for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the microwave or oven at 350°F till it’s hot.
What should I put on top when serving?
Treat it like a taco bar! Sour cream, more shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, green onions, avocado, jalapeños, salsa—whatever you love. It makes every bite even better.
