The Duke himself would be proud to see his classic John Wayne Casserole become so popular again!
Made with seasoned ground beef, cheese, Rotel tomatoes and onions then baked over biscuits, John Wayne casserole is a healthy and hearty way to start any day. Cook up this delicious John Wayne casserole recipe for a mid-morning brunch or when company’s over.
John Wayne Casserole
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John Wayne Casserole Recipe
- Lots of everyone’s favorite ingredients are baked together in one dish. John Wayne casserole has something for everyone and cleanup is a breeze.
- Save time on busy mornings and bake in advance. Cool, cover, and chill until ready to reheat!
- Serve with a side of hot homemade gravy, some fresh fruit kabobs, and some fresh orange juice or some cranberry mimosas.
Ingredients and Variations
GROUND BEEF: Seasoned ground beef gives this recipe its hearty base, but leftover shredded chicken, a layer of diced ham, or leftover cubes of steak are good substitutes.
VEGETABLES: Rotel is a great shortcut here, but a can of diced tomatoes with added green chiles will work, too. Colorful bell peppers give this dish some crunch, but any veggie cut into small pieces works here. Zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or kale add more color and nutrition.
BISCUITS: Bisquick is perfect for a quick and easy bottom crust. A can of refrigerated biscuits or a layer of hashbrowns, tater tots, or sliced, cooked potatoes will also bake up into a solid crust.
CHEESE: Cheddar cheese has a sharp flavor that works well with the other ingredients. But brightly flavored cheeses like Swiss and feta, or a combination of all would also taste great.
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Before baking, top John Wayne casserole with avocado slices, sliced black olives, or jalapenos.
How to Make John Wayne Casserole
John Wayne casserole can be made in so many ways, but it’s also a great way to use up leftover meat, cheese, and veggies.
- Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, and half the cheese. Set aside.
- Brown ground beef, add seasoning and veggies.
- Prepare Bisquick dough and press into the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Top with ground beef, Rotel, green chiles, sour cream mixture, and remaining cheese.
- Bake as per the recipe below.
Tips For Success!
- Prep all ingredients ahead of time, so assembly is quick and easy.
- Allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes after baking. This helps firm it up slightly before serving.
Leftovers
Keep leftover John Wayne casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the oven covered with foil, or reheat in the microwave if in a rush.
Freeze cooled portions in airtight containers for up to 6 weeks.
Other Easy Casserole Recipes!
- Unstuffed Pepper Casserole – perfect for any weeknight
- Easy Italian Casserole – ready in just over half an hour.
- Easy Taco Casserole – so flavorful
- Biscuit Turkey Casserole – 5-minute prep
- Breakfast Enchilada Casserole – delicious any time of day
- Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole – overnight recipe
John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ½ cups water divided
- 1 (1 ounce packet) taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- ½ onion diced
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 2 cups Bisquick mix
- 1 (10 ounce can) canned diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel, juices drained
- 1 (4 ounce can) mild diced green chilies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, and 4 ounces of cheese together, set aside.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, drain fat and return to the pan.
- Add ½ cup water, taco seasoning, onion, and peppers to the pan and cook until the water is absorbed and vegetables are tender.
- Mix the Bisquick and 1 cup of water together and press into the bottom of the casserole dish and up the sides of the dish.
- Spread the ground beef mixture over the Bisquick layer and top with the can of Rotel tomatoes and green chilies. Spread the sour cream mixture on top and sprinkle the remaining cheese on the very top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until it is heated through and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Preheat oven and prep all ingredients for quick and easy assembly.
- Rest casserole for 5 minutes after baking to help firm it up slightly before serving.
- Refrigerate casserole up to 4 days and reheat in the oven covered with foil.
- Freeze cooled portions in airtight containers for up to 6 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Thanks, Melodee!