Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful baked dish combining seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and cheesy layers topped with a biscuit crust. Perfect for a comfort-food dinner that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy a crowd.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Biscuit Crust
- 16 ounces large biscuits (canned, about 8 biscuits)
- Cooking spray
Filling
- 2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning, plus water as per packet instructions
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 medium onion, halved and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, halved and sliced
- 4 ounces canned sliced jalapeno peppers, drained
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F and place an oven rack in the center. Spray a 13×9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the biscuits in a single layer in the dish, pressing them into the pan to join and pressing the dough about halfway up the sides. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until very lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and set aside, leaving the oven on.
- Cook the taco meat: While the biscuits bake, combine the browned ground beef with the taco seasoning and the specified water. Cook according to the packet instructions until fully cooked. Transfer the seasoned beef to a bowl, and wipe the skillet clean.
- Prepare the sour cream mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced onions. Stir well and set aside.
- Sauté remaining vegetables: Sauté the remaining half of the onions and the sliced bell peppers in the skillet until slightly tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the cooked taco meat evenly over the baked biscuit crust. Layer sliced tomatoes over the beef, followed by the sautéed onions and peppers. Scatter the drained jalapeno slices on top. Spread the sour cream mixture over the vegetables, then sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake the assembled casserole: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the edges of the biscuit crust are lightly browned and cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Keep an eye on the biscuits towards the end of baking to prevent over-browning.
- For a spicier version, add more jalapenos or hot sauce to the sour cream mixture.
- You can prepare the components beforehand and assemble just before baking for quicker meal prep.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the oven temperature is accurate for even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/10 of casserole)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
