John Wayne Casserole is a bold and comforting dish that combines seasoned beef, vegetables, and a biscuit crust in a truly satisfying bake. It’s hearty, flavorful, and layered to perfection.
Inspired by Tex-Mex flavors and rich with melted cheese, creamy sauce, and a hint of spice, John Wayne Casserole is a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner or potluck favorite.
Inside the Ingredients That Make John Wayne Casserole a Star
- Ground beef – The savory base of the casserole, richly seasoned and satisfying.
- Taco seasoning – Adds bold, zesty flavor that gives the beef its Tex-Mex flair.
- Large biscuits – Baked into a golden crust that cradles the casserole’s layers.
- Sour cream – Brings creamy tang that balances the spice and richness.
- Mayonnaise – Adds smoothness and body to the creamy layer for depth.
- Cheddar cheese – Sharp and melty, it weaves everything together beautifully.
- Onion – Offers sweetness and a hint of bite, used both fresh and sautéed.
- Tomatoes – Juicy slices bring brightness and a fresh contrast.
- Red bell pepper – Adds sweetness and color to balance the savory layers.
- Jalapeño peppers – Sliced and layered for just the right kick of heat.
How to Make John Wayne Casserole: A Delicious Layered Journey
Start by pressing the biscuits into a casserole dish to form the crust and baking it until lightly golden. While that bakes, brown your ground beef and season it with taco seasoning for a punch of flavor.
Next, stir together the sour cream, mayo, cheese, and onions to create a creamy layer that melts into the other ingredients. Sauté the remaining onions and bell pepper until just tender.
Layer the cooked biscuit crust with seasoned beef, fresh tomato slices, sautéed veggies, jalapeños, and the creamy cheese mixture. Finish with a generous sprinkle of cheddar on top, then bake until bubbling and golden.
Casserole Know-How: Tips and Tasty Twists
For extra heat, use fresh jalapeños or pepper jack cheese. Prefer it milder? Skip the peppers or use just a few. To make it extra hearty, add black beans or corn between layers.
Keep an eye on the crust during its first bake—it should be barely browned so it doesn’t overcook later. Using an oven thermometer helps keep things accurate, especially since ovens can vary more than expected.
Switch things up by using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. You can also experiment with different cheeses or add a handful of chopped green onions on top before serving for an extra pop of flavor.
Storing and Reheating Your Leftover John Wayne Casserole
Let the casserole cool completely before covering it tightly with foil or transferring to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to four days and reheats beautifully in the oven at 350°F.
To freeze, slice portions and wrap them individually, then freeze for up to two months. Reheat straight from frozen at 375°F, covered with foil, until hot all the way through—usually about 25–30 minutes.
This dish holds its flavor and texture well, making it a great make-ahead or meal prep option.
John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning prepared with water as directed
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- 2 pounds ground beef browned and drained
- 4 ounces canned sliced jalapeño peppers
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 medium onion halved and sliced
- 16 ounce can large biscuits
- 2 medium tomatoes sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper halved and sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and adjust the rack to the center position. Lightly grease a 13×9-inch glass baking dish.
- Arrange biscuits in a single layer in the prepared dish, pressing them together and up the sides halfway. Set the dish on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, watching closely after 12 minutes. The edges should be barely golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
- While the biscuits bake, cook the ground beef with the taco seasoning and specified amount of water according to package instructions. Set the seasoned beef aside.
- In a clean bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, 4 ounces of cheddar cheese, and half of the sliced onion. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- Using the same skillet, sauté the remaining onion and red bell pepper until slightly softened.
- To assemble, layer the following over the baked biscuit base: seasoned beef, tomato slices, sautéed peppers and onions, jalapeño slices, then spread the sour cream mixture evenly on top. Finish with the remaining 4 ounces of shredded cheese.
- Bake the assembled casserole uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the biscuit crust is lightly golden around the edges.
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