Description
Saddle up for the ultimate comfort! Smoky ground beef, creamy soup, and robust chili beans combine for a fuss-free weeknight winner. Quick skillet prep required.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (15-ounce) can chili beans, undrained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (hickory or smoky flavor recommended)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to low. Stir the condensed cream of chicken soup, undrained chili beans, frozen corn, BBQ sauce, and chili powder into the skillet with the ground beef. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and heated through.
- Step 3: Carefully transfer the ground beef mixture from the skillet into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
- Step 4: Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing the mixture to heat completely and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Step 5: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the 1 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze cooled individual portions for quick future dinners; label the containers clearly with the date.
- To reheat a large portion, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake at 325°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes, preventing the cheese topping from drying out.
- For a deeper, richer flavor profile, consider adding 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika when you stir in the chili powder, which enhances the essential smoky "cowboy" taste.
- Serve generous scoops of the warm casserole over a bed of steamed white rice or alongside a simple, crisp green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 225g)
- Calories: 420
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g