Description
Creamy Layered John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, cheesy baked dish featuring a biscuit crust layered with seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a luscious creamy cheese topping. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this casserole offers bold Tex-Mex flavors with layers of savory beef, tangy sour cream, and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Extras
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make Biscuit Crust: Press the biscuit dough evenly into the bottom of the baking dish, extending slightly up the sides to create a crust. Bake this crust for 10 minutes until it turns lightly golden but not fully cooked through.
- Cook Beef Mixture: While the crust bakes, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Once cooked, drain the grease, add the taco seasoning and water, then simmer until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Mix Creamy Cheese Layer: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and all of the Monterey Jack cheese. Stir well and set aside.
- Layer Vegetables and Beef: On top of the pre-baked biscuit crust, spread the seasoned ground beef evenly. Then distribute the sliced onions, diced green bell pepper, diced tomato, and optional diced green chilies evenly over the beef layer.
- Add Creamy Cheese Topping: Spread the prepared creamy cheese mixture over the vegetable and beef layers, making sure to cover everything evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the creamy cheese layer to create a golden, melted topping once baked.
- Bake Casserole: Place the casserole uncovered into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps the layers set properly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Optional diced green chilies add a nice spicy kick but can be omitted for a milder flavor.
- Using refrigerated biscuit dough simplifies the crust preparation and adds a tender base.
- Drain excess grease from the beef to prevent a soggy casserole.
- Let the dish rest before cutting to keep layers intact.
- For a spicier version, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
