Description
Hearty John Wayne casserole combines zesty Tex-Mex flavors with comforting layers of beef, cheese, and peppers. Southwestern-inspired dish promises a satisfying meal that brings rustic ranch-style cooking directly to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dough and Oil:
- 1 can (16 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
- In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with diced onions and bell peppers over medium heat until meat browns and vegetables soften, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Drain any excess grease from the meat mixture, then incorporate taco seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes with green chilies, and aromatic spices.
- Simmer the seasoned beef mixture for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and half the shredded cheddar cheese to create a creamy topping.
- Gently press prepared biscuit dough into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even bottom layer.
- Distribute the spiced beef mixture uniformly across the biscuit foundation.
- Spread the sour cream and cheese blend over the beef layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbly, and biscuit base turns light brown.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help set and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that’s perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Elevate the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the beef mixture for spice lovers craving extra kick.
- Pre-cook the biscuit dough slightly before adding toppings to ensure a crispier, more golden bottom crust that won’t become soggy.
- Use Mexican blend cheese instead of plain cheddar to introduce more complex flavor profiles and enhance the southwestern-style taste of the dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 481 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg