Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring a baked biscuit crust layered with seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, a creamy cheese mixture, and jalapeños for a spicy kick. This casserole combines classic Tex-Mex flavors with comforting textures, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 2 pounds ground beef (browned and drained)
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning plus water as per packet instructions or homemade taco seasoning
Crust
- 16 ounce can large biscuits
Dairy Mixture
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded and divided (4 ounces + 4 ounces)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, halved and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, halved and sliced
- 4 ounces canned sliced jalapeño peppers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the oven rack in the center. Spray a 13×9 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Biscuit Crust: Place the biscuit dough in a single layer in the prepared pan, pressing the biscuits together and pushing the dough halfway up the sides of the pan. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, checking after 12 minutes. The crust should be lightly browned on the edges. Remove from oven and set aside; keep oven on.
- Cook Taco Meat: While the biscuits bake, combine the browned and drained ground beef with the taco seasoning and the water called for by the seasoning packet, then cook according to packet instructions. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan used for ground beef.
- Mix Dairy Base: In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced onions. Stir well until evenly mixed and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: Using the wiped-out pan, sauté the remaining half of the onions and the sliced red bell peppers over medium heat until they become slightly tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer the casserole starting with the baked biscuit crust, then spread the seasoned taco meat evenly over the crust. Add a layer of tomato slices, followed by the sautéed bell pepper and onion mixture. Scatter the sliced jalapeño peppers evenly on top.
- Add Dairy Mixture and Cheese: Dollop and spread the sour cream mixture over the top layer of vegetables. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese over everything.
- Bake Final Casserole: Place the assembled casserole in the oven uncovered and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the edges of the biscuit crust are lightly browned and the cheese has fully melted and begun to bubble.
Notes
- Use a baking sheet under the casserole dish when baking the biscuit crust to catch any drips.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños according to your spice preference.
- For added flavor, consider using homemade taco seasoning with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
- You can substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: John Wayne casserole, ground beef casserole, taco casserole, biscuit crust casserole, Tex-Mex casserole, easy dinner casserole
