Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty and flavorful baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, vegetables, a creamy ranch cheese topping, and a biscuit crust. Perfect for a family meal, this easy-to-make casserole combines bold southwest-inspired flavors with a cheesy, comforting biscuit base.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 2 cups diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Dairy and Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided (½ cup for topping mixture, 1 cup for topping casserole)
Biscuit Layer
- 2 cups Bisquick or favorite biscuit mix
- 1 ¼ cups water, divided (some for beef mixture, some for biscuit dough)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, then drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from getting greasy.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add diced onion, diced bell pepper, and the taco seasoning packet to the browned beef. Stir in about ¼ cup of the water, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend flavors and soften the vegetables.
- Prepare the Creamy Ranch Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, and dry Ranch seasoning until smooth and creamy.
- Make and Partially Bake Biscuit Layer: Mix the Bisquick with the remaining 1 cup of water to form a biscuit dough. Press this dough evenly into the greased baking pan. Bake it in the oven for 5 minutes to set it partially before adding the toppings.
- Assemble the Casserole: After the biscuit crust has baked for 5 minutes, spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over it. Next, distribute the drained Rotel diced tomatoes evenly over the beef layer. Dollop spoonfuls of the creamy Ranch topping across the casserole.
- Add Final Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the entire casserole to create a cheesy, golden crust when baked.
- Bake Until Golden: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, and the casserole is cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve hot. Enjoy this flavorful and comforting John Wayne Casserole with your family and friends!
Notes
- Draining the excess grease from the cooked ground beef helps keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- The biscuit layer partially baked before assembling helps it stay flaky and prevents sogginess.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, use a spicy version of Rotel tomatoes or add extra taco seasoning.
- This casserole can be assembled in advance and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if cold from the fridge.
- For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheese.
