Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty and family-friendly dish that combines seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a creamy cheese topping on a biscuit crust. Bursting with Tex-Mex flavors, this comforting casserole is perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 can diced green chilies (4 oz)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Base
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (16 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Biscuit Crust: Press the refrigerated biscuit dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, forming the base layer of the casserole.
- Par-Bake Crust: Bake the biscuit dough crust for 10 minutes until it starts to set and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until fully cooked and the onion is softened. Drain excess grease.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning and ½ cup water to the cooked beef mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Assemble Layers: Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit crust. Then layer sliced tomatoes, green bell peppers, and diced green chilies evenly on top of the beef.
- Add Creamy Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the layered vegetables.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the creamy layer, covering the entire surface.
- Bake Casserole: Return the assembled casserole to the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving to let the flavors meld and stabilize.
Notes
- Add sliced jalapeños for an extra spicy kick.
- Ground turkey can be used instead of ground beef for a leaner option.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
