Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, layered comfort-food classic made with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilies, a creamy cheesy topping, and a biscuit base. Perfect for an easy family dinner, this rich and filling casserole combines Tex-Mex flavors with a crispy biscuit crust, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Biscuit Base
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough, quartered
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional
- Sliced jalapeños for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully browned and onions are translucent. Drain off excess grease to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet and water into the cooked beef mixture. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef nicely.
- Layer Biscuit Dough: Spread the quartered biscuit pieces evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the base layer.
- Add Beef and Tomatoes: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the biscuit base. Then, layer the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies on top of the beef.
- Mix Cheese Topping: In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese until fully blended and creamy.
- Top and Bake: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the layered casserole. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is lightly golden brown.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps the casserole set for clean slicing and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- For an extra kick of heat, add sliced jalapeños on top before baking or use a spicier variety of diced tomatoes.
- Substitute ground turkey for a lighter, leaner protein option instead of ground beef.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps it firm up, making it easier to cut and serve without falling apart.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free biscuit dough instead of regular biscuits.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
