Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and a cheesy creamy layer baked over a biscuit base. This easy casserole offers a comforting blend of Tex-Mex flavors baked to bubbly perfection, making it perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red & green)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
Seasoning & Dairy
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup mayonnaise OR sour cream
Biscuit Base
- 2 cups biscuit mix (like Bisquick)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make biscuit base and par-bake: Combine the biscuit mix with water to form a batter, spread it evenly in the baking dish, then bake for 10 minutes to set the crust.
- Cook filling: While the biscuit base bakes, brown the ground beef in a skillet with chopped onions and bell peppers. Drain excess fat once cooked.
- Season beef mixture: Stir in the taco seasoning and the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles into the beef mixture, cooking for 2 to 3 more minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream or mayonnaise with half of the shredded cheddar and half of the Monterey Jack cheese, mixing until smooth.
- Layer beef over biscuit: Spread the cooked beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit base in the baking dish.
- Add creamy cheese layer: Spoon the cheese and sour cream/mayo mixture over the beef layer, spreading carefully.
- Top with remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the casserole’s top layer.
- Bake until golden: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing to allow it to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- Using either mayonnaise or sour cream is optional; sour cream adds tang while mayo offers creaminess.
- Drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess moisture making the casserole soggy.
- For extra spice, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: John Wayne Casserole, taco casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy casserole, biscuit base casserole, Tex-Mex casserole
