Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef and vegetables layered over a biscuit crust, topped with a creamy ranch sauce, shredded cheeses, and optional jalapeños for a spicy kick. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it combines classic Tex-Mex flavors in a simple casserole format.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Biscuit Base
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits
Ranch Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (4-ounce) can sliced jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, cooking until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the taco seasoning and the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Cook the mixture for an additional 3-5 minutes to fully blend flavors.
- Prepare the Biscuit Base: Spread the biscuit dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes until the biscuits start to puff but are not fully cooked yet.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread the cooked beef and vegetable mixture over the partially baked biscuit base in the baking dish.
- Prepare the Ranch Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch dressing mix. Spread this creamy ranch mixture evenly over the beef layer.
- Add Cheese and Jalapeños: Top the casserole evenly with shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. For added spice, distribute the sliced jalapeños on top (optional).
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole back into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the biscuit crust is cooked through and golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes to set. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish!
Notes
- You can omit jalapeños if you prefer a milder flavor or substitute with another type of pepper.
- Make sure to drain the canned diced tomatoes well to prevent the casserole from becoming soggy.
- If desired, garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions before serving for added freshness.
- For a lower fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and mayonnaise.
- Leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
