Cornbread Cowboy Casserole: A Hearty Family Favorite

Ingredients

• 1 box cornbread mix (plus ingredients as per package)
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper (any color), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• to taste salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• optional fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened (about 5 minutes).
3. Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Stir in black beans, tomatoes (with juice), corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until heated through.
5. While the meat mixture is cooking, prepare the cornbread mix according to package instructions in a separate bowl.
6. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly. Pour the cornbread batter over the top, spreading it gently with a spatula to cover the filling entirely.
7. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the cornbread layer.
8. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Once baked, let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.