Cowboy Skillet Casserole: A Hearty and Delicious One-Pan Meal

Looking for a satisfying, flavorful, and relatively easy weeknight dinner? Look no further than the Cowboy Skillet Casserole! This dish is packed with ground beef, bacon, corn, beans, cheese, and potatoes, all cooked in a single skillet for minimal cleanup. It’s a crowd-pleaser, customizable to your liking, and perfect for feeding a hungry family or a gathering of friends. This recipe will walk you through each step, ensuring a delicious and memorable meal.

What is Cowboy Skillet Casserole?

The Cowboy Skillet Casserole is a hearty, rustic dish that gets its name from its origins in the American West. It’s essentially a one-pan meal featuring a combination of ingredients that were readily available to cowboys and ranchers: ground beef, potatoes, beans, corn, and cheese. The dish is cooked in a skillet, making it easy to prepare over an open fire or on a stovetop. It’s a comforting and filling meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you’re craving something substantial.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Skillet Casserole Recipe

• One-Pan Wonder: The biggest advantage is the minimal cleanup! Everything cooks in one skillet, saving you precious time after dinner.
• Hearty and Filling: This casserole is packed with protein, carbs, and vegetables, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
• Customizable: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Add different vegetables, cheeses, or spices to create your own unique version.
• Budget-Friendly: This recipe uses affordable ingredients, making it a great option for budget-conscious cooks.
• Crowd-Pleasing: The Cowboy Skillet Casserole is always a hit with family and friends. It’s a great dish to bring to potlucks or gatherings.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather the following ingredients:

• Ground Beef: 1 pound of lean ground beef is recommended. You can also use ground turkey or chicken.
• Bacon: 6-8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled. The bacon adds a smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Onion: 1 medium onion, chopped.
• Garlic: 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
• Russet Potatoes: 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed. Other potatoes like Yukon Gold can be used.
• Canned Corn: 1 (15-ounce) can of corn, drained. You can also use frozen corn.
• Canned Black Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained. Pinto beans or kidney beans work as well.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (Rotel): 1 (10-ounce) can, undrained. This adds a touch of heat and flavor. You can use regular diced tomatoes if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Beef Broth: 1/2 cup.
• Taco Seasoning: 2 tablespoons. You can use store-bought taco seasoning or make your own.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups. You can also use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack or other cheeses.
• Optional Toppings: Sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, salsa, hot sauce.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Equipment Needed

• Large Skillet: A 12-inch cast iron skillet is ideal, but any large oven-safe skillet will work. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the casserole to a baking dish before baking.
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Spatula or Spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get cooking! Follow these detailed instructions to make the perfect Cowboy Skillet Casserole:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Bacon: In your skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside to cool. Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet. If there is too much grease, remove some, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons in the skillet.
3. Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula, until it’s browned. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
5. Add the Potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften slightly. This will help them cook through evenly in the oven.
6. Stir in Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the canned corn, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), beef broth, and taco seasoning. Mix well to combine.
7. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
8. Add Cheese and Bacon: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Then, sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the cheese.
9. Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Rest: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the cheese to set slightly and the flavors to meld together.
11. Serve: Serve the Cowboy Skillet Casserole hot. Top with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, salsa, or hot sauce.

Tips for the Best Cowboy Skillet Casserole

• Use a good quality skillet: A cast iron skillet is ideal for this recipe because it distributes heat evenly and retains heat well. However, any large oven-safe skillet will work.
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet: If your skillet is too small, the ingredients will steam instead of brown. If necessary, cook the ground beef in batches.
• Adjust the seasoning to your liking: If you prefer a spicier casserole, add more taco seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Don’t overcook the potatoes: The potatoes should be tender, but not mushy.
• Use freshly grated cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts more evenly than pre-shredded cheese.
• Let the casserole rest before serving: This will allow the cheese to set slightly and the flavors to meld together.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s so versatile. Here are a few variations and substitutions you can try:

• Meat: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or even sausage instead of ground beef.
• Vegetables: Add other vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.
• Beans: Use pinto beans, kidney beans, or white beans instead of black beans.
• Cheese: Use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or any other cheese you like.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of taco seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier casserole. Omit the Rotel tomatoes and use regular diced tomatoes for a milder flavor.
• Potatoes: Sweet potatoes can be used in place of russet potatoes.
• Vegetarian Option: Omit the ground beef and bacon and add extra beans or vegetables.
• Spicy: Add a chopped jalapeño pepper to the skillet along with the onion and garlic for a spicier casserole. You can also use a spicier taco seasoning.

Serving Suggestions

The Cowboy Skillet Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:

• Toppings: Serve with sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, salsa, hot sauce, or guacamole.
• Side Dishes: Serve with a side salad, cornbread, or coleslaw.
• Breakfast: This casserole is also great for breakfast or brunch. Serve with a fried egg on top.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can assemble the Cowboy Skillet Casserole ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat. Simply prepare the casserole up to the point of baking. Cover the skillet tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Storage Instructions

Leftover Cowboy Skillet Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

• Calories: 450-550 per serving
• Protein: 30-40 grams
• Fat: 25-35 grams
• Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams

Printable Recipe Card

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Cowboy Skillet Casserole

A hearty and delicious one-pan meal perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained
• ½ cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, avocado, salsa
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove and crumble, leaving grease in skillet.
3. Brown ground beef in skillet, drain excess grease.
4. Add onion and cook until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
5. Add potatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in corn, black beans, Rotel, beef broth, and taco seasoning.
7. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
8. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
9. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with desired toppings.

Enjoy your delicious Cowboy Skillet Casserole!

Conclusion

The Cowboy Skillet Casserole is a hearty, delicious, and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With its customizable ingredients and minimal cleanup, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and get ready to enjoy a taste of the Wild West!

FAQ

Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

A: Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for ground beef.

Q: Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it later. See the make-ahead instructions above.

Q: Can I freeze this casserole?

A: It’s not recommended to freeze the entire casserole after it’s baked, as the potatoes can become mushy. However, you can freeze the cooked ground beef mixture before adding the cheese and bacon. Thaw completely before adding the cheese and baking.

Q: What kind of skillet should I use?

A: A 12-inch cast iron skillet is ideal, but any large oven-safe skillet will work. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the casserole to a baking dish before baking.

Q: Can I add more vegetables?

A: Absolutely! Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.

Q: How do I make this casserole spicier?

A: Add more taco seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also use a spicier taco seasoning or add a chopped jalapeño pepper to the skillet.

Q: What are some good toppings for this casserole?

A: Sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, salsa, and hot sauce are all great toppings.

Q: Can I use a different kind of cheese?

A: Yes, you can use any cheese you like. A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese are good options.

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?

A: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but be sure to check the labels of your taco seasoning and other ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.