Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, a creamy ranch topping, and a biscuit crust baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this casserole combines Tex-Mex flair with cheesy, creamy goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Veggies
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 2 cups diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
Seasonings and Toppings
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning
- 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained)
Biscuit Layer
- 2 cups Bisquick or favorite biscuit mix
- 1 ¼ cups water, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13×9-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Simmer with Veggies and Seasoning: Add the diced onion, diced bell pepper, and taco seasoning to the cooked beef. Stir in ¾ cup of the water, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors and soften the vegetables.
- Make the Creamy Ranch Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, and dry Ranch seasoning until smooth and well combined.
- Prepare Biscuit Dough: In another bowl, mix the Bisquick with ½ cup of the water until a dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake it for 5 minutes to start the biscuit layer.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the pre-baked biscuit layer. Next, layer the drained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies evenly on top of the beef. Dollop the creamy Ranch topping over the tomato layer.
- Add Final Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the entire casserole for a cheesy finish.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the layers are heated through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy the rich, savory flavors and creamy texture of this satisfying one-dish meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole from becoming oily.
- Draining the Rotel tomatoes is essential to prevent the casserole from getting too watery.
- You can substitute the Bisquick with your favorite biscuit mix or homemade biscuit dough for a different texture.
- For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking before serving to allow it to set and enhance flavors.
