Description

The John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, Tex-Mex inspired comfort food dish named after the iconic actor. It typically features a base of biscuit dough, layers of seasoned ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy topping, baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a satisfying one-pan meal perfect for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale

1 (16.3 ounce) can refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!)
1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
3/4 cup water
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained (mild or original)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise (light or regular)
8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided (about 2 cups)
Optional: 1 (4 ounce) can sliced jalapeño peppers, drained (for extra heat)
Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Open the can of biscuits. Press the biscuit dough into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared baking dish, stretching and pinching the seams together to form an even crust.
Bake the biscuit crust in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffy. Remove from oven and set aside, keeping the oven on.
While the biscuit crust bakes, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces. Drain any excess fat.
Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the cooked beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring, until the liquid has mostly absorbed and the meat is well seasoned.
In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and half (about 1 cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well until smooth.
Now, assemble the casserole:
- Evenly spread the cooked seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture over the pre-baked biscuit crust in the baking dish.
- Pour the undrained can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies over the beef layer.
- If using, scatter the drained sliced jalapeño peppers over the Rotel.
- Carefully spread the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the sour cream layer.
Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the biscuit crust are golden brown.
Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.

Notes

**Origin:** The John Wayne Casserole gained popularity after the actor John Wayne contributed a recipe to a 1979 cookbook called ‘Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends,’ a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. While his original recipe was a simpler egg and cheese dish, it evolved over time into the more elaborate, Tex-Mex inspired version popular today.
**Meat:** You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
**Vegetables:** Feel free to adjust the vegetables to your preference. Corn, black beans (rinsed and drained), or a different color of bell pepper can be added.
**Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of jalapeños and type of Rotel (mild, original, hot) to control the spice level.
**Make Ahead:** The beef and vegetable mixture can be cooked a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble the casserole just before baking.
**Storage:** Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 to 1/10 of casserole
Calories: 400-600 (highly variable based on specific ingredients, fat content of meat/cheese, and portion size)
Sugar: 8-15g
Sodium: 700-1200mg
Fat: 25-45g
Saturated Fat: 10-20g
Unsaturated Fat: N/A
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30-50g
Fiber: 2-5g
Protein: 25-35g
Cholesterol: 70-120mg

Keywords: John Wayne Casserole, Beef Casserole, Biscuit Casserole, Tex-Mex, Ground Beef, Easy Dinner, Family Meal, Comfort Food