John Wayne Casserole

Introduction

John Wayne Casserole is a flavorful, layered bake that brings comfort, bold Tex‐Mex flavors, and family‐friendly appeal to the dinner table. Its combination of seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, tangy sour cream, and melty cheese over a tender biscuit base is always a crowd pleaser—making it an easy, hearty meal to serve after a busy day or at a weekend gathering.

Why You’ll Love John Wayne Casserole

This casserole packs impressive flavor into every bite. With its rich, cheesy layers and a biscuit foundation that soaks up the robust Tex‐Mex spices, it’s filling and satisfying. Plus, everything bakes in one pan for minimal cleanup. It’s easy to customize with your favorite veggies or a little kick of jalapeno, making it a versatile dinner option.

Layering the Perfect John Wayne Casserole

The secret to a good John Wayne Casserole is thoughtful layering. Start with a simple biscuit crust, add spiced beef and onion, layer in colorful vegetables, then crown everything with a creamy mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise. Finish with a generous topping of shredded cheddar for that irresistible, bubbly finish straight from the oven.

Assembly Tips for a Flavorful John Wayne Casserole

To keep the biscuit layer tender, avoid overbaking in the initial stage. When spreading each layer, use a spatula to evenly cover each area, ensuring every forkful includes a taste of every element. After baking, let the casserole rest for five to ten minutes—this helps it set up for cleaner slices and enhances the melding of flavors.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping John Wayne Casserole

John Wayne Casserole is perfect on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or sides like cilantro-lime rice or refried beans. For extra flavor, add diced avocado, fresh jalapeno slices, or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro on top before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Typically, this dish serves six hearty portions. Each serving contains approximately 400–550 calories, depending on the toppings and ground beef used. It’s a wholesome, filling meal fit for a family dinner or to serve guests at a casual gathering.

John Wayne Casserole (Recap)

With its layered flavors and comforting textures, John Wayne Casserole is a standout meal for any occasion. It strikes the perfect balance between saucy, cheesy goodness and satisfying heartiness—a go-to for anyone who loves easy, crowd-pleasing recipes.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Press the biscuit dough into the bottom of the prepared dish to make an even crust. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until just starting to set but not golden.
3. While the crust bakes, brown the ground beef with salt, pepper, and onions in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
4. Stir in the taco seasoning mix, bell pepper, jalapeños (if using), diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing flavors to blend and liquid to evaporate.
5. In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese until well combined.
6. Layer the cooked beef mixture over the baked biscuit base. Spread the sour cream–mayonnaise mixture evenly over the beef layer. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
7. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
8. Garnish with fresh toppings like avocado, tomato, or cilantro, if desired. Serve warm!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for meal prep—you can assemble John Wayne Casserole ahead and reheat slices for busy weeknights. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically add it to your weekly meal plan, consolidating all ingredients and quantities for seamless shopping.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total ingredient needs across all recipes for the week
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery aisle
• Reduces forgotten items and duplicate ingredient purchases
• Simplifies your entire weekly meal prep process

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, schedule your recipes so you’ll always buy the right amounts—no more wasted produce or missing ingredients!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour