Description
Cheesy One Pot Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and flavorful skillet meal that’s quick and easy to make. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this dish combines ground beef, beans, corn, pasta, and gooey cheddar cheese for a satisfying one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cowboy Casserole:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 can (15 oz) corn (drained)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans or kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni or small pasta
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Pot: In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add onion and garlic, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in diced tomatoes, corn, beans, beef broth, pasta, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer: Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Melt Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until melted.
- Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese on top, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes until the cheese is gooey. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Swap the beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version.
- Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- This dish reheats well and makes a great meal prep option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
