Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, Tex-Mex inspired baked dish featuring a savory ground beef mixture simmered with diced tomatoes and green chiles, layered over a buttery crescent roll crust, topped with creamy cheese layers, and baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect as a comforting main course, this casserole combines rich flavors and an easy preparation suited for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Crust and Cheese Layers
- 1 (8-ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish
- Chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the beef mixture. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together until the beef is browned and the onions are softened, about 7–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy. Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Let this mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the crust. Unroll the refrigerated crescent roll dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, making sure to seal the seams completely so it forms a solid crust base for the casserole.
- Make the creamy layer. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the sour cream until smooth and well combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust, creating a creamy layer that will complement the beef mixture.
- Assemble the casserole. Spoon the cooked beef mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer, then sprinkle both the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly on top to create a deliciously cheesy finish.
- Bake the casserole. Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly, indicating that the casserole is heated through and ready.
- Rest and garnish. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set, which will make slicing easier. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired before serving.
Notes
- For added heat, use hot diced tomatoes with green chiles or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter variation.
- This casserole reheats well, making it perfect for meal prep and leftovers.
