Hot Cowgirl Casserole

4.8
(8)

"This is creamy, spicy, cheesy, and so satisfying."

1
Hot Cowgirl Casserole slice on a plate with a fork, next to more casserole in a glass baking dish
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
10 (serving size: about 1 cup)

Just like the dip that inspired it, the Hot Cowgirl Casserole delivers a kick of heat that’s “dangerously delicious.” This bold, flavor-packed dinner brings together all your favorite Southwest-inspired ingredients—black beans, fire-roasted corn, green chiles, and melty Monterey Jack cheese—into one creamy, cheesy, and comforting casserole

Perfect for cozy dinners or feeding a hungry crowd, this casserole is as satisfying as it is simple to make. Plus, it celebrates the spirit of cowgirls: bold, fun, and full of flavor.

“Spicy!” said recipe taster Julia Levy. “Makes me feel like a cowgirl!”

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 (serving size: about 1 cup) servings

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 small white onion, chopped

  • 1 jalepeño chile, seeded and chopped

  • 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 (1 ounce.) envelope less-sodium taco seasoning mix

  • 1 (16 ounce) jar mild roasted tomato salsa (such as Frontera)

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounce) cream cheese, softened

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 (14.75 ounce) can fire-roasted corn, drained

  • 1 (4 ounce) can chopped hot or mild green chiles, undrained

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (about 16 ounce) (from 1 chicken)

  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  • store-bought multi-colored tortilla strips

  • chopped fresh Cilantro

  • sliced scallions

  • pickled red onion

Directions

  1. Gather ingredients and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

    Hot Cowgirl Casserole ingredients on a marble counter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add onion, jalepeño chile, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add taco seasoning and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    Onions and seasoning in a pan on a marble counter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Add salsa, bring to a simmer over medium, then add in cream cheese and salt, and cook, stirring constantly, until melted and incorporated, about 3 minutes. Stir in black beans, corn, chopped green chiles, and sour cream. Remove from heat and fold in chicken.

    Bean mixture in a pan on a marble counter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Transfer to a 9 x 13- inch baking dish, and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with Monterey Jack cheese.

    Hot Cowgirl Casserole topped with shredded cheese in a glass baking dish on a counter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Without removing dish from oven, increase oven temperature to broil, and broil until browned, 4 to 5 minutes.

    Baked Hot Cowgirl Casserole in a glass baking dish

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Garnish with tortilla strips, cilantro, scallions, and pickled red onion.

    Hot Cowgirl Casserole garnished with red onions, herbs, and tortilla chips in a glass baking dish

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Hot Cowgirl Casserole slice on a plate with a fork, next to more casserole in a glass baking dish

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

28 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

582 Calories
30g Fat
40g Carbs
41g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 582
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 30g 39%
Saturated Fat 12g 62%
Cholesterol 154mg 51%
Sodium 1435mg 62%
Total Carbohydrate 40g 15%
Dietary Fiber 10g 37%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 41g 81%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Calcium 262mg 20%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 977mg 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.