This comforting, hearty casserole is topped with a tender cornbread crust and a hidden layer of cheese.

Never heard of a cornbread cowboy casserole?

That’s topped with cheese for creaminess.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole in the skillet with a serving scooped out

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Finally, it’s finished with, of course, a moist and tendercornbread.

It means you get your chili and cornbread in one scoopa perfect weeknight dinner.

This recipe is similar to atamale pieif you’re familiar with that dish.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole browning the ground beef and onions

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

In both recipes, the beef mixture forms the cozy and comforting base with the tender crown of cornbread.

This version adds the layer of cheese, which isn’t always used in the tamale casserole.

Learn how to make cornbread cowboy casserole, and serve this dinner to your family soon.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole adding the tomato paste and seasonings

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We bet they’re going to love it.

canblack beans, drained and rinsed

1(14.5-oz.)

candiced tomatoes, undrained

1cupfrozen corn(from 1 [10-oz.]

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole adding the chicken broth, tomatoes, and beans

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high.

Stir in frozen corn, and remove from heat.

Sprinkle cheese on chili:

Sprinkle pepper Jack evenly over beef mixture in skillet.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole adding the corn

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add cornbread mixture to casserole:

Pour cornbread batter evenly over pepper Jack.

Bake:

Bake in preheated oven until cornbread is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Leftovers reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole making the cornbread topping

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Can You Freeze Cornbread Cowboy Casserole?

The chili part can be made ahead without the cheese and frozen in an airtight container.

Simply defrost in the fridge overnight.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole adding the cheese

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Place back in a skillet or baking dish and continue on to the cornbread step.

Can I Make Any Substitutions in This Recipe?

Or, do the opposite by making this more of aTexas-style chiliand omitting the beans entirely.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole adding the cornbread topping to the casserole

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Change up the cornbread toppings by folding corn or diced jalapenos into the cornbread mixture.

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole after baking and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Cornbread Cowboy Casserole in the pan ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox