Hearty Cowboy Casserole: Beefy, Cheesy Dinner (Print Version)

Hearty Cowboy Casserole brings comfort. Ground beef, beans, and cheese baked into a satisfying meal. Easy weeknight dinner, full of flavor.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Meat & Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ The Beefy Base

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean)
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Beans

05 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
06 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
07 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
08 - 1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained

→ Flavor Boosters & Topping

09 - 2 tsp chili powder
10 - 1 tsp cumin
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, get a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. You want it nicely browned, no pink bits left, really. This step is crucial for flavor! I always make sure to get a good sear on it. Once it's all cooked through, drain off any excess fat. Honestly, I used to just dump it all out, but now I leave just a tiny bit for extra flavor, especially if I'm using lean beef. Your kitchen should already be smelling pretty amazing, I promise.
02 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add your diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet with a little bit of the beef fat (or a drizzle of olive oil if you drained it all). Sauté them until they're softened, about 5-7 minutes. You'll see them turn translucent and smell that sweet oniony goodness. Then, toss in your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it's fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made before, and burnt garlic is just... not good, hon.
03 - Now, let's build that incredible sauce! Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained!), tomato sauce, rinsed kidney beans, and drained corn. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Give it all a good stir to combine everything. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes. This is where all those flavors really get to know each other and meld into something truly special. The smell in your kitchen right now? Pure comfort!
04 - While your sauce is simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Once the sauce has had its little simmer party, pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spoon. Sometimes I'll sneak a little taste at this point, just to make sure the seasoning is perfect. Oops, did I say that out loud? It's fine, it's for quality control!
05 - Now for the best part! Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole base. Then, layer on the Monterey Jack cheese. Don't be stingy here; a good cheese crust is what we're aiming for. I've been known to add an extra handful or two, because, well, cheese. This Hearty Cowboy Casserole really shines with a generous topping!
06 - Pop your baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. You want those edges to be slightly crispy and the center to be hot and gooey. Once it's done, carefully take it out of the oven. The smell will be absolutely irresistible! Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving; it helps everything set a bit and prevents a messy slice.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd your skillet when browning the beef; it'll steam instead of sear, which I learned the hard way!
02 - Always let your casserole rest for a few minutes after baking; it helps the layers settle.
03 - A dash of Worcestershire sauce in the beef mixture adds an incredible umami depth, trust me on this one.
04 - Serve with a simple green salad to balance the richness, it's my favorite combo.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - 9x13 baking dish

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 30g

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