John Wayne Casserole

5 from 25 votes

This John Wayne Casserole Recipe is the ultimate hamburger casserole. Ground beef, cheese, and seasoning is baked on a biscuit layer.

Prep Time10

Cook Time50

Let Sit10

Total Time1 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Cost: TOTAL RECIPE COST: $17.82, COST PER SERVING (8 servings): $2.23

Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 baking dish.
Press 1 (16 oz) can biscuits into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan to form a crust.
Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly browned.
In a skillet, cook 2 lbs ground beef over medium-high heat, then drain grease.
Stir in 1 packet taco seasoning, ¾ cup water, 1 diced onion, and 1 diced red bell pepper. Simmer 8–10 minutes until softened.
Spread the beef mixture over the biscuit crust.
Top with 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies.
In a bowl, mix ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Spread over the top.
Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
Let sit 10–15 minutes, then slice and serve.

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Recipe Tips

Prepared Baking Dish - Before layering the biscuits, make sure to spray with cooking spray. This helps to for cleanup and for serving.
Biscuit Dough - This biscuit dough needs to be cooked before layering the ground beef. Make sure to press the biscuits across the bottom of the baking dish. When cooked this creates a delicious biscuit layer.
Ground Beef - Cook the ground beef in a skillet until no longer pink. Make sure to remove the excessive grease before mixing with the onions and bell peppers.
Simmer Ingredients - Make sure to let the beef mixture simmer to softened the peppers and onions.
Spreading Layers - Spread the beef mixture, tomato mixture and sour cream mixture over the top of the biscuits. Make sure it complete covers the biscuits.
Baking Casserole - After topping with cheese bake the casserole. Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Resting Casserole - After removing the casserole allow the casserole to rest before serving.

Biscuit Mix - We used canned biscuit to make this recipe. But you can also make the biscuits from bisquick mix. Feel free to use a crust that meats your diet restrictions.
Taco Meat - Feel free to use other types of meat to make this easy casserole recipe. You can make it with ground turkey or use half beef and half ground turkey. You can also use cooked shredded chicken.
Cheese - Cheddar cheese is a great option to top this casserole. Top the casserole with other types of cheese. Try pepper-jack cheese, Colby Monterey Jack Cheese and Mexican Cheeses.
Taco Seasoning - Feel free to make Homemade Taco Seasoning or use store bought taco seasoning. We love using homemade seasoning blends as they taste better and no added ingredients.
Diced Tomatoes - We used canned diced tomatoes on this recipe, but you can layer the casserole with tomato slices. You can also use Rotel to mix into this casserole.
Toppings - When serving feel free have toppings available to top the casserole. Add more pepper jack cheese, remaining cheese, green chilies, green peppers, or jalapeño peppers.
Seasoning - Instead of using fresh onions, you can use onion powder. Season with salt and pepper for added flavor.