Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring seasoned ground beef, diced vegetables, and a creamy ranch-cheddar topping layered over a biscuit crust. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 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 1/2 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
Dough
- 2 cups Bisquick or favorite biscuit mix
- 1 1/4 cups water, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease to keep the casserole from being too oily.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add diced onion, diced bell pepper, and taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef. Stir in 3/4 cup of the water, cover the skillet, and simmer the mixture for 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Prepare Creamy Ranch Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ½ cup of shredded Cheddar cheese, and dry Ranch seasoning until smooth and well combined.
- Make Biscuit Dough and Bake: Combine Bisquick with the remaining ½ cup of water to form a dough. Press this dough evenly into the greased baking pan. Bake the biscuit layer for 5 minutes to partially cook it.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit layer. Then add a layer of drained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies. Dollop the creamy Ranch topping over the tomatoes.
- Add Cheese and Final Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the casserole is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- Drain the excess grease well from the ground beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Be sure to drain the Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the biscuit base soggy.
- You can substitute Bisquick with any biscuit mix or even make your own biscuit dough from scratch if preferred.
- For a spicier variation, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
