🍞🍖 Soul Food Cornbread Bowl 😋✨
A delicious and comforting southern-inspired dish served in a cornbread bowl, packed with tender braised beef, savory collard greens, creamy mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes. The ultimate soul food experience!
📌 Ingredients:
For the Braised Beef:
2 lbs beef chuck roast (or any braising cut)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
For the Collard Greens:
2 lbs fresh collard greens, cleaned and chopped
1/2 lb smoked ham hocks or bacon, for flavor
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Mac and Cheese:
8 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Sweet Potatoes:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
Pinch of salt
For the Cornbread Bowl:
1 box cornbread mix (or homemade cornbread recipe)
1 egg
1/3 cup milk (or as per cornbread mix instructions)
Butter, for greasing
🔥 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Braised Beef:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat.
Season beef with salt, pepper, and thyme. Sear the beef on all sides until browned (about 4 minutes per side).
Add chopped onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and place in the oven.
Bake for 3–4 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded.
2. Cook the Collard Greens:
In a large pot, cook the ham hocks or bacon over medium heat until crispy.
Add chopped onions and cook until softened.
Add collard greens, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the greens are tender.
3. Make the Mac and Cheese:
Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions, then drain.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Slowly add milk, stirring to avoid lumps.
Stir in cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
Mix in cooked pasta, then season with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
Boil cubed sweet potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 10–12 minutes).
Drain and return to the pot.
Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mash until smooth.
5. Make the Cornbread Bowls:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare cornbread according to the package or recipe instructions.
Grease individual oven-safe bowls or ramekins with butter.
Pour cornbread batter into the bowls, filling halfway, and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Assemble the Bowl:
Once the cornbread is done, carefully hollow out a small space in the center to form a bowl.
Fill the cornbread bowl with braised beef, collard greens, mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes.
Enjoy this soul food bowl packed with comfort and flavor!
💡 Pro Tip: Customize the fillings in the cornbread bowl by adding other favorite soul food sides like fried chicken or cornbread dressing.