Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, Tex-Mex inspired dish with layers of seasoned ground beef, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a creamy cheese topping. Served over a biscuit crust, this casserole is perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or game day, offering a flavorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
3/4 cup whole milk
For the Filling:
1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 small tomato, sliced
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- For the crust, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the milk to form a soft dough. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- For the filling, cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and water, simmering for 2-3 minutes. Mix in the diced tomatoes with green chilies and remove from heat.
- For the creamy layer, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth.
- Spread the cooked beef mixture over the biscuit crust. Dollop and gently spread the sour cream mixture over the beef layer. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and arrange tomato slices on top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
For added veggies, you can include corn, black beans, or zucchini in the beef mixture.
If you want extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the filling.
Feel free to swap the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
If you’re short on time, use store-bought biscuit dough for the crust.
Top the casserole with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, or a dollop of guacamole for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
