John Wayne Casserole

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this John Wayne Casserole for its bold flavors and simple preparation. The combination of savory beef, zesty taco seasoning, creamy sour cream mixture, and melted cheese creates a balanced, flavorful dish that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s a complete meal in one pan and can be easily customized to suit your preferences.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Ground beef
• Biscuit mix (such as Bisquick)
• Water or milk (for the biscuit mix)
• Sour cream
• Mayonnaise
• Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Onion, diced
• Bell peppers (red and green), chopped
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
• Taco seasoning mix
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Jalapeño slices (optional, for topping)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
3. Stir in the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
4. In a medium bowl, mix biscuit mix with the required amount of water or milk as directed on the package.
5. Spread the biscuit dough evenly on the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for about 10 minutes until lightly set.
6. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth.
7. Layer the cooked beef mixture over the baked biscuit crust.
8. Spread the sour cream mixture evenly over the beef layer.
9. Top with chopped bell peppers, the remaining shredded cheese, and jalapeño slices if desired.
10. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 6–8 people.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

• Use different meat: Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for a different flavor.
• Make it vegetarian: Skip the meat and add black beans, corn, and extra peppers for a veggie-filled version.
• Spicy version: Add more jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Cheese options: Use pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend instead of cheddar.
• Crust alternatives: Try using crescent roll dough or cornbread mix instead of biscuit mix for a fun twist.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place a portion in the microwave for 1–2 minutes or warm the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes. For longer storage, freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

Why is it called John Wayne Casserole?

The dish is named after actor John Wayne, who contributed a version of it to a cookbook. It’s known for its bold, hearty, cowboy-style flavors.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, assemble it up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.

Can I use crescent rolls instead of biscuit mix?

Absolutely. Crescent rolls make a softer, flakier crust that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling.

What can I serve with John Wayne Casserole?

It’s delicious on its own but pairs well with a green salad, Mexican rice, or refried beans.

How can I make this casserole less spicy?

Use mild diced tomatoes and omit the jalapeños to tone down the heat.

Can I freeze John Wayne Casserole?

Yes, it freezes well. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

What kind of cheese works best?

Cheddar is classic, but you can use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack for extra flavor.

Can I add beans to the recipe?

Yes, black beans or pinto beans make a great addition to the beef mixture.

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Pre-bake the biscuit crust for about 10 minutes before layering on the filling.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, it’s flavorful but mild enough for kids. Just skip the jalapeños if you want a milder version.

Conclusion

John Wayne Casserole is a delicious, satisfying meal full of bold Tex-Mex flavors and hearty ingredients. With its creamy layers, cheesy topping, and biscuit crust, it’s the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This easy casserole is sure to become a family favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

John Wayne Casserole

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John Wayne Casserole is a hearty Tex-Mex-inspired dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, vegetables, and a fluffy biscuit crust — a crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s both bold and satisfying.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 2 cups biscuit mix (such as Bisquick)
• 2/3 cup water or milk (as directed for biscuit mix)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Jalapeño slices (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain any excess grease.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
4. In a bowl, mix biscuit mix with water or milk according to package directions.
5. Spread the biscuit dough evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly set.
6. In another bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth.
7. Layer the beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust.
8. Spread the sour cream mixture over the beef layer.
9. Top with chopped red and green bell peppers, the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, and jalapeño slices if using.
10. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Pre-bake the crust to prevent it from becoming soggy.
• For a vegetarian version, replace beef with black beans, corn, and extra peppers.
• Adjust spice level by adding or omitting jalapeños.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in the oven for best texture.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 940mg
• Fat: 33g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 100mg