John Wayne Casserole: A Cowboy Classic

Recipe Introduction: Wrangling Up the Best John Wayne Casserole Recipe

Ever crave a hearty, no-fuss dinner? Something that screams "comfort food" with a Tex-Mex twist? Well, saddle up, partner, because we're diving headfirst into a John Wayne Casserole recipe ! This ain't your fancy-pants cuisine, but honestly, who needs that on a Tuesday night?

What's the Deal with this Cowboy Casserole Recipe Anyway?

This beef casserole recipe is a layered masterpiece. think savory ground beef casserole goodness, a cheesy blanket, all nestled on a biscuit-like base.

It's tex-mex comfort food at its finest. some say it got its name from the duke himself, because it's as american and satisfying as his movies.

Whether that's true or not, it's definitely a winner.

The john wayne casserole is dead simple to make. We're talking easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Prep is about 20 minutes, baking takes around 30-35. It serves 6-8 hungry cowpokes.

Why You'll Love This Southwestern Ground Beef Casserole

Honestly, it's just plain delicious. but beyond the taste, it's a great way to sneak in some veggies with the ground beef biscuit casserole .

Plus, it's a perfect family casserole dinner - everyone loves it. what makes this tex-mex casserole recipe special? it’s that buttery biscuit crust, that savory beef filling, and of course, all that cheesy goodness.

What You Need to Get Started

Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get cooking! First up, here’s what you need for the recipe:

• For the Biscuit Base:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cubed (57g)
  • 1/2 cup milk (120ml)

• For the Beef Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
  • 1 pound ground beef (450g)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (approx. 1 cup, 150g)
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped (approx. 1 cup, 150g)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (425g)
  • 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained (113g)
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (28g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (2g)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

• For the Topping:

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (approx. 225g)
  • Optional: Sliced green onions, for garnish

John Wayne Casserole: A Cowboy Classic Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:35 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)
• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cubed (57g)
• 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
• 1 pound ground beef (450g)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (approx. 1 cup, 150g)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped (approx. 1 cup, 150g)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (425g)
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained (113g)
• 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (28g)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (2g)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (approx. 225g)
• Optional: Sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk until just combined.
• Press the biscuit dough evenly into the bottom of the baking dish.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in diced tomatoes, green chiles, taco seasoning, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread the ground beef mixture evenly over the biscuit base.
• Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef mixture.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the biscuit base is golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:25-35g

Fiber:25-35g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment for Your John Wayne Casserole Recipe

Ready to whip up the john wayne casserole ? let's round up what you'll need! this cowboy casserole recipe is so easy even a tenderfoot can make it.

Honestly, it's the perfect easy family casserole dinners option for a busy weeknight.

Main Ingredients for the Best Ground Beef Casserole Recipes

Okay, let's talk ingredients for this ground beef casserole . Here’s what you need, measurements and all. This list includes every essential to create the quintessential Tex-Mex casserole recipe . We need:

• Biscuit Base:
  • Flour: 1 cup (120g) . All-purpose does the trick!
  • Baking Powder: 1 tsp (5g) . Make sure it's not expired!
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp (3g) . Just regular table salt.
  • Cold Butter: 1/4 cup (57g) . Super cold butter is key!
  • Milk: 1/2 cup (120ml) . Any kind will do.
• Beef Filling:
  • Olive Oil: 1 tbsp (15ml) .
  • Ground Beef: 1 pound (450g) . Look for a good lean-to-fat ratio, about 80/20 is perfect.
  • Onion: 1 medium (1 cup, 150g) . Yellow or white works fine.
  • Green Bell Pepper: 1 medium (1 cup, 150g) .
  • Diced Tomatoes: 1 can (15oz, 425g) , undrained.
  • Green Chiles: 1 can (4oz, 113g) , undrained.
  • Taco Seasoning: 1 packet (1oz, 28g) .
  • Garlic Powder: 1/2 tsp (2g) .
• Topping:
  • Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups (225g) , shredded. Buy a block and shred it yourself. Seriously, it melts better!

Seasoning Notes for Southwestern Ground Beef Casserole

For a great southwestern ground beef casserole , taco seasoning is your friend! add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

For a kick, throw in a pinch of cayenne. no taco seasoning? mix chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Equipment Needed For Great Beef Casserole

For this awesome beef casserole , you only need a few basics. you need a 9x13 inch baking dish , a large skillet, and a mixing bowl.

Don't have a baking dish? a cast-iron skillet works too. seriously, this whole ground beef biscuit casserole is built for anyone!

Let's Cook: Rootin' Tootin' John Wayne Casserole Recipe !

Honestly, who doesn't love a good beef casserole ? especially when it's a cowboy casserole recipe that's as comforting as a hug from your grandma.

We're talking about the john wayne casserole , a dish so easy even i can't mess it up. and believe me, that's saying something.

You know? let's dive in.

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place

First things first. essential mise en place is key. chop your onion and bell pepper, measure out your spices. i use about 1 cup (150g) each.

Having everything ready saves time and prevents that "oh my gosh, i forgot the taco seasoning!" moment. cold butter is key for the biscuit base.

Cube 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of that cold unsalted butter.

Step-by-Step: Wrangling This Casserole

1. Biscuit Time: Mix flour, baking powder (1 teaspoon), and salt ( 1/2 teaspoon ). Cut in butter. Add 1/2 cup milk.
2. Press It: Press that dough into your 9x13 baking dish. Easy peasy.
3. Brown the Beef: Cook 1 pound ground beef in olive oil until browned. Drain the fat! Nobody wants a greasy casserole.
4. Veggie Party: Sauté your onion and bell pepper in the same skillet for about 5 minutes .
5. Tomato Time: Add 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles, taco seasoning ( 1 ounce packet), garlic powder ( 1/2 teaspoon ). Simmer for 5- 10 minutes .
6. Beefy Layer: Spread the beef mixture over the biscuit base.
7. Cheesy Goodness: Top with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Don't skimp!
8. Bake: Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 30- 35 minutes . Cheese melted and bubbly? You're golden!

Pro Tips: Making This Casserole Sing

Don't overmix that biscuit dough! you'll end up with a hockey puck, not a crust. want a spicier tex-mex casserole recipe ? add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef.

For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole and refrigerate it. then, just bake it when you're ready to eat.

Honestly, this Southwestern ground beef casserole is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Plus, everyone loves a good ground beef biscuit casserole. Give it a try!

Recipe Notes: Wranglin' Up the Best John Wayne Casserole

Alright, partners, before we ride off into the sunset with this john wayne casserole recipe , let’s cover some ground.

I've made a ground beef casserole or two in my time! honestly, sometimes it's the little things that make a dish truly shine, you know? this beef casserole recipe is no exception.

Serving Suggestions: Howdy, Dinner Time!

Thinkin' 'bout presentation? Slap a hearty square of this ground beef casserole onto a plate. Maybe add a dollop of sour cream? Chopped green onions are a nice touch too.

On the side, how about a crisp green salad? adds some freshness. a cold beer goes down a treat, especially with this tex-mex casserole recipe .

For a teetotaler how about a refreshing iced tea.

Storage Tips: Save Some for Later, Cowboy

Leftovers? You betcha! This beef casserole keeps like a dream. Just pop it in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It'll be good for about 3-4 days.

Freezing? Absolutely! Let it cool completely. Then wrap it well or portion it into freezer-safe containers. It’ll last for up to 3 months.

Reheating is easy peasy. Oven is best: heat at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through. Microwave works too if you're in a hurry.

Variations: Mix It Up, Pardner

Want a healthier twist? Use ground turkey instead of beef. Trust me, it’s still darn tasty!

Feelin’ adventurous? Throw in some black beans and corn. Makes it a Southwestern ground beef casserole . For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans.

Nutrition Basics: Fuel Up, Partner

Okay, I'm no nutritionist. But here's the lowdown, roughly. Each serving packs a good punch of protein thanks to the ground beef. The cheese gives you calcium.

This cowboy casserole recipe isn’t exactly a salad, let's be real. it’s comfort food! but everything in moderation, right? with an estimated 450-550 calories, 30-35g of protein, 25-35g of fat, and 25-35g of carbs per serving.

So there you have it, folks. all the extra bits and bobs you need to know to make this john wayne casserole recipe a roaring success.

Now go on, get cookin'! you've got this! you can easily make this into an easy family casserole dinners night.

Plus it's similar to a ground beef biscuit casserole .