Black Eyes of Texas Casserole

Dive into the comforting, Southern-inspired flavors of the Black Eyes of Texas Casserole, a hearty dish that's as bold as its name suggests. This casserole combines a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, black-eyed peas, fire-roasted tomatoes, and green chilies for a robust, slightly smoky filling spiced with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Topped with a generous layer of melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, it's crowned with a golden layer of fluffy cornbread for the perfect balance of textures. Ready in under an hour, this easy, family-friendly recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings. Garnished with fresh cilantro, it’s a satisfying one-pan meal that celebrates the rich flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups black-eyed peas, canned (drained and rinsed)
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, canned
• 1 4-ounce can green chilies, diced (optional for heat)
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 8.5-ounce box cornbread mix
• 0.75 cup milk (for cornbread mix)
• 1 egg (for cornbread mix)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften.

Step 4

Stir in the black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes (with juice), diced green chilies (if using), chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 5

Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish.

Step 6

Sprinkle the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses on top of the mixture.

Step 7

Prepare the cornbread mix according to package instructions, using the milk and egg. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the cheese layer in the casserole dish.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked through.

Step 9

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2475.6 grams (2475.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3729

Total Fat 188.40g	242%
Saturated Fat 90.70g	454%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 764mg	255%
Sodium 8053mg	350%
Total Carbohydrate 320.80g	117%
Dietary Fiber 35.00g	125%
Total Sugars 91.80g
Protein 205.00g	410%

Vitamin D 193IU	965%
Calcium 3069mg	236%
Iron 29mg	161%
Potassium 4554mg	97%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.6%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 33.8%