This Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food — a warm, hearty beans and cornbread bake that’s sweet, smoky, and satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you of old-fashioned, cozy dinners on cool nights. Think baked beans bubbling under a golden layer of sweet cornbread — simple ingredients, big flavor, and a true family favorite.
When the weather starts to cool down, I find myself craving hearty, comforting meals — the kind you can scoop straight from the baking dish. This beans and cornbread casserole is one of those cozy dinners that brings everyone to the table. The best part? It feels like comfort food from the old days, but it’s easy enough to make any night of the week.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Hearty Cowboy Casserole
- It’s totally flexible. Add ground beef, bacon, or sausage for an extra-hearty version — or keep it vegetarian.
- I love that it’s an easy weeknight meal. Everything bakes together in one dish — no fuss, no mess.
- It’s a sweet and savory combo! Smoky beans and tangy BBQ sauce meet buttery, golden cornbread.
- And it’s a great potluck recipe. This one feeds a crowd and travels well.
Ingredients Needed:
- Baked Beans: Use your favorite brand for that smoky, saucy base.
- Other Beans: You’ll need cans of kidney beans and cannellini beans.
- Onion and dry mustard: For depth and flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to the beans.
- Ketchup or Barbecue Sauce: Adds sweetness, tang, and a little smokiness.
- Cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt: The base of the cornbread.
- Eggs, milk and butter: This will bring the cornbread batter together.
How to make Cowboy Casserole:
The complete, printable recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post. Here is a brief overview.
Combine the bean mixture and add it the pan. Combine the cornbread ingredients and spoon it on top. Bake, and serve!
Recipe Tips
- Use smoky baked beans (like maple or hickory) for extra flavor.
- Make it ahead. Assemble up to 6 hours before baking and refrigerate.
- You can use a boxed cornbread mix if you’d like. Just spoon it on top!
- Cheese it up. Add shredded cheddar cheese on top towards the end of baking for a gooey, melty finish.
- Want it heartier? Stir cooked bacon crumbles or diced smoked sausage into the bean mixture.
- Sprinkle sliced jalapenos on top if you want to make it spicy!
Serving Ideas:
Serve this easy cowboy dinner with with my best cole slaw recipe for a perfect Southern-style dinner. It’s great for family dinners, potlucks, or even tailgate parties. The flavors pair beautifully with corn on the cob or barbecue chicken. Finish your meal with a batch of my Cowboy Cookies — the ultimate theme pairing!
Storage + Reheating
This cowboy casserole also freezes beautifully, which makes it perfect for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven (covered with foil) for best texture.
If you’re looking for a new comfort food favorite, this Cowboy Casserole is one to keep on repeat. It’s hearty, satisfying, and made from simple pantry ingredients that come together into something truly special. I love serving it when friends or family are over — it always gets rave reviews! If you make this recipe, be sure to come back and leave a comment or a star rating below. I’d love to hear how these baked cowboy beans turned out for you — and what twists you added to make it your own.
Cowboy Casserole
Ingredients
BEANS:
- Two 28-ounce cans baked beans
- One 15.5-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- One 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 to 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar (preference for sweetness)
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
CORNBREAD TOPPING:
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉. Spray a 9×13-inch glass dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the beans. Then scrape this mixture into the prepared dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk in the milk, butter and egg. Spoon the cornbread mixture over the beans, leaving a 1-inch gap on the edges.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Cowboy Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble Cowboy Casserole up to 6 hours before baking. Just cover the dish with foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. When you’re ready, pop it in the oven and bake as directed — you may need to add 5 to 10 extra minutes since it’ll start out cold.
Can I freeze Cowboy Casserole?
Definitely. Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven. It’s perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
What goes well with Cowboy Casserole?
This casserole is hearty enough to be a full meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a crisp apple cole slaw, a side of roasted vegetables or grilled corn on the cob to balance out the smoky, sweet flavors nicely.
Can I make it with meat?
Absolutely! You can add cooked ground beef or sausage and still get plenty of flavor from the baked beans and barbecue sauce. Add diced bell peppers or extra beans for more texture. It will be more hearty and delicious than the classic version.
How can I make this casserole spicier?
If you like a little heat, stir chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce into the bean mixture before baking. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cornbread batter.
