John Wayne Casserole Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I Enjoy This Recipe Because It Combines The Flavors Of A Taco With The Comfort Of A Casserole. The Biscuit Base Makes It Unique, And The Creamy Layer Balances The Spices From The Taco Meat. I Also Like That It’s Easy To Put Together With Simple Ingredients I Often Already Have On Hand, Making It Perfect For Weeknights Or Family Gatherings.

Ingredients

(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)

For The Taco Meat:

• 1 Pound Ground Beef

• 1 Packet Taco Seasoning

• ¾ Cup Water

For The Casserole:

• 1 (16.3 Oz) Can Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

• 1 Cup Sour Cream

• ½ Cup Mayonnaise

• 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Divided)

• 1 Small Onion, Chopped

• 1 Bell Pepper, Chopped

• 1 (4 Oz) Can Diced Green Chiles

• 2 Tomatoes, Chopped

• Salt And Pepper To Taste

• Nonstick Cooking Spray

Directions

1. I Preheat The Oven To 350°F (175°C) And Lightly Grease A 9×13-Inch Baking Dish With Cooking Spray.

2. I Cook The Ground Beef In A Skillet Until Browned, Drain The Excess Fat, Then Stir In The Taco Seasoning And Water. I Let It Simmer For About 5 Minutes Until Thickened, Then Remove It From The Heat.

3. I Press The Biscuit Dough Into The Prepared Baking Dish To Form A Crust And Bake It For 10 Minutes.

4. I Mix Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Half Of The Cheddar Cheese, And The Chopped Onion. I Spread This Mixture Evenly Over The Biscuit Crust.

5. I Add The Taco Meat, Bell Pepper, Green Chiles, And Tomatoes On Top. Then I Sprinkle Over The Remaining Cheddar Cheese.

6. I Bake For 25–30 Minutes Until The Cheese Is Melted And Bubbling.

7. I Let The Casserole Rest For About 5 Minutes Before Slicing And Serving Hot.

Servings And Timing

This Recipe Makes 6–8 Servings. It Takes About 20 Minutes Of Prep Time And 35 Minutes Of Baking Time, For A Total Of Around 55 Minutes.

Variations

I Sometimes Swap The Ground Beef For Ground Turkey Or Even Plant-Based Meat For A Lighter Option. If I Want Extra Spice, I Add Jalapeños Or Use A Spicy Taco Seasoning. I Also Like Serving This Casserole With A Side Of Salsa, Guacamole, Or Sour Cream To Add Even More Flavor.

Storage/Reheating

If I Have Leftovers, I Store Them In An Airtight Container In The Fridge For Up To 4 Days. To Reheat, I Warm Individual Portions In The Microwave Or Heat The Whole Dish In The Oven At 325°F Until Hot. This Casserole Can Also Be Frozen For Up To 2 Months—I Just Thaw Overnight In The Fridge Before Reheating.

FAQs

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes, I Often Assemble The Casserole Ahead, Cover It, And Store It In The Fridge. When Ready To Bake, I Simply Add A Few Extra Minutes To The Cook Time.

Can I Use Homemade Biscuit Dough Instead Of Canned?

Absolutely! I Like Using Homemade Biscuits When I Have More Time, And It Adds A Freshly Baked Flavor.

What Other Vegetables Can I Add?

I Sometimes Add Corn, Black Beans, Or Zucchini For Extra Texture And Nutrition.

How Do I Make It Spicier?

I Add Diced Jalapeños, Use Pepper Jack Cheese, Or Stir A Bit Of Hot Sauce Into The Meat Mixture.

Can This Be Made Vegetarian?

Yes, I Replace The Ground Beef With A Plant-Based Crumble Or Black Beans, And It Still Tastes Delicious.

Conclusion

I Love Making John Wayne Casserole Because It’s Comforting, Flavorful, And Easy To Customize. The Layers Of Biscuit Crust, Creamy Sauce, Taco Meat, And Melted Cheese Make Every Bite Satisfying. Whether For A Weeknight Dinner Or A Potluck, This Dish Always Gets Rave Reviews.