John Wayne Casserole 🍅🌶️🧀

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30–35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6–8 | Calories: ~480 per serving

Why You’ll Love This John Wayne Casserole

This hearty Tex-Mex-inspired casserole is a cheesy, savory crowd-pleaser packed with flavor. With layers of flaky biscuit crust, taco-seasoned beef, creamy topping, and melty cheese, John Wayne Casserole is the kind of comfort food you crave after a long day. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Beef Layer:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g. Rotel), drained
• 1 packet taco seasoning

For the Crust:

• 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits

For the Creamy Topping:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
• Optional: sliced jalapeños or green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Beef Mixture

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and bell pepper until the beef is browned and vegetables are soft (about 7–8 minutes). Drain excess fat.
Add the drained tomatoes with chilies and taco seasoning. Stir well and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Biscuit Layer

Press the refrigerated biscuits into the bottom of your greased baking dish, pressing them together to form a single even crust that covers the bottom.

4. Assemble the Layers

Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the biscuit crust.
In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream and mayonnaise. Spread this mixture gently over the beef layer.
Top evenly with shredded cheese.

5. Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the biscuit crust is golden underneath.

6. Serve

Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with jalapeño slices or chopped green onions if desired. Serve with a side salad or chips and salsa!

Tips & Variations

• Make it spicy: Add extra jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef layer.
• Add beans: Mix in a cup of drained black beans for added texture and protein.
• Swap the crust: Try crescent rolls or a cornbread mix instead of biscuits for a different twist.
• Lighter option: Use light sour cream and mayo to cut down on fat.

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.
• Not ideal for freezing due to the mayo/sour cream topping, but it’s best enjoyed fresh!

Perfect For:

• Family dinners
• Potlucks and parties
• Game nights
• Cozy weekends in

Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate):

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g

Craving bold Tex-Mex flavor in a comforting bake? This John Wayne Casserole hits all the right notes—creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly good!