Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a warm and comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef mixed with black beans, corn, and tomatoes, topped with a fluffy homemade cornbread crust and melted cheese. Perfect for a hearty family meal on chilly days, this casserole blends classic southwest flavors with a simple, satisfying preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Top Layer:
- 1 box cornbread mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in the drained black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and the packet of taco seasoning into the skillet with the beef. Mix everything thoroughly.
- Simmer Mixture: Continue cooking the combined mixture for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and any excess moisture to reduce.
- Prepare Casserole Base: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into a greased casserole dish, spreading it out evenly as the base layer.
- Mix Cornbread Batter: In a separate bowl, prepare the cornbread mix according to the package directions, usually combining the mix with an egg and milk until smooth.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the beef mixture in the casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add Cheese and Final Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top of the baked cornbread layer. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
Notes
- Drain the canned beans and corn well to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery.
- You can substitute canned diced tomatoes with fresh diced tomatoes if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to taste, especially if you prefer less sodium or milder spice.
- Use any shredded cheese you like – cheddar or a Mexican blend works well.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to make serving easier.
