This John Wayne Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. It features a biscuit base, a savory ground beef and vegetable filling, and a creamy, cheesy topping. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal that’s sure to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and Filling: This casserole is packed with protein and vegetables, making it a complete meal.
- Easy to Assemble: Using refrigerated biscuits and canned ingredients makes this recipe quick and easy to put together.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level and add your favorite vegetables.
- Crowd-Pleasing: This casserole is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any occasion where you need to feed a lot of people.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated Large Biscuits: Forms the base of the casserole.
- Olive Oil: For sautéing the vegetables and ground beef.
- Ground Beef: Provides a savory and protein-rich filling.
- Taco Seasoning: Adds a flavorful spice blend.
- Water: Helps to create a sauce for the ground beef.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds flavor and a touch of heat.
- Canned Corn (Drained): Adds sweetness and texture.
- Onion (Sliced): Adds a savory base.
- Red Bell Pepper (Sliced): Adds sweetness and color.
- Canned Sliced Jalapenos: Adds heat and tanginess.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess to the topping.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and richness to the topping.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a melty and sharp flavor.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a melty and mild flavor.
- Fresh Parsley (Chopped): For garnish, adds a fresh touch.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make John Wayne Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Biscuit Base
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange biscuits in a single layer, pressing slightly to cover the base. Bake for 10-12 minutes to partially cook.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables and Brown Beef
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and red bell pepper, sauté until softened. Add ground beef, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.
Step 3: Add Seasoning and Vegetables
Stir in taco seasoning and ¼-½ cup water. Add diced tomatoes with green chilies and drained corn. Cook for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the beef mixture over the biscuit layer. Scatter jalapenos over the beef.
Step 5: Prepare the Topping
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream. Spread over the jalapenos.
Step 6: Add Cheese
Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the topping.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 30-35 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden and biscuits are cooked through.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Cool slightly, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Partially Bake Biscuits: Partially baking the biscuits ensures they cook through without becoming soggy.
- Drain Excess Fat: Draining excess fat from the ground beef prevents a greasy casserole.
- Adjust Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapenos and taco seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- Use Quality Cheese: High-quality cheese enhances the flavor and meltability.
- Let it Rest: Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld and the filling to set.
How to Serve
- Main Course: Serve as a hearty main course.
- Potluck Dish: Perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
- Family Dinner: Ideal for a comforting family meal.
- With a Side Salad: Pair with a fresh side salad for a balanced meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezing
Freeze cooled casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
2. Can I use a different type of biscuit?
Yes, you can use homemade biscuits or a different brand of refrigerated biscuits.
3. Can I add other vegetables?
Yes, you can add other vegetables like diced potatoes, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
4. Can I make this spicier?
Yes, you can add more jalapenos, hot sauce, or a spicier taco seasoning.
Print
John Wayne Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This John Wayne Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines layers of biscuits, seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy cheese topping. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces refrigerated large biscuits
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup water
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 14 ounces canned corn, drained
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 4 ounces canned sliced jalapenos
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Biscuits: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the biscuits in a single layer at the bottom of the dish, pressing them slightly to cover the base evenly. Bake the biscuits for 10-12 minutes to partially cook them.
- Sauté Vegetables and Brown Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and red bell pepper, sautéing until softened. Add the ground beef, cooking until browned, and drain any excess fat.
- Season Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning and ¼ – ½ cup of water. Mix thoroughly, then add the diced tomatoes with green chilies and the drained corn. Cook for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Layer Beef Mixture: Spread the beef mixture evenly over the biscuit layer in the baking dish, ensuring it’s well-distributed. Scatter the sliced jalapenos evenly over the beef mixture.
- Prepare Creamy Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream. Spread this mixture evenly over the jalapenos to form a smooth layer.
- Add Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese over the mayonnaise and sour cream layer, covering it completely.
- Bake Casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the biscuits are cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of jalapenos to your spice preference.
- You can substitute other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- For a spicier casserole, use a spicier taco seasoning or add hot sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
