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John Wayne Casserole

If you’re looking for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that brings together the best of Southwestern flavors, this John Wayne Casserole is a comforting dish with layers of seasoned ground beef, gooey cheese, fresh vegetables, and a creamy sour cream mixture on a biscuit base. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or family gatherings when you need a satisfying, stick‐to‐your-ribs dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 (1 1/4 ounce) packet taco seasoning
  • 4 ounces sour cream
  • 4 ounces mayonnaise or light sour cream as an alternative
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded and divided
  • 1 yellow onion sliced (use half in the creamy mixture and the rest sautéed)
  • 2 cups biscuit mix
  • 2 tomatoes sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
  • 1 (4 ounce) can sliced jalapeño peppers

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9x13-inch casserole dish
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. In a large skillet, brown the 2 pounds of ground beef until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Stir in the 1 packet of taco seasoning along with the water called for on the seasoning packet. Allow the beef mixture to simmer for a few minutes so that the flavors meld.
  3. While the beef simmers, prepare the creamy layer. In a bowl, combine 4 ounces of sour cream, 4 ounces of mayonnaise, 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced yellow onion.
  4. In another bowl, prepare the biscuit dough according to the directions on the 2 cups of biscuit mix. Press the dough evenly to cover the bottom and about ½ inch up the sides of a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.
  5. Sauté the remaining sliced yellow onion along with the sliced green bell pepper in a skillet until they are slightly tender but still retain some bite.
  6. Layer the casserole as follows: start with the seasoned ground beef, then add the sliced tomatoes, followed by the sautéed onions and green bell pepper. Next, spoon over the creamy mixture and finish with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese. Finally, arrange the sliced jalapeños evenly on top.
  7. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the biscuit base is cooked through with a golden, bubbly top.

Notes

This flexible casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and weeknight meals. There are plenty of substitution options: try using crushed tortilla chips or thinly sliced potatoes instead of the biscuit mix if you’re watching carbs, or swap the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even black beans and corn for a vegetarian twist. Adjust the amount of jalapeños to suit your desired spice level and serve with a crisp salad or corn on the cob. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for later meals.