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a square of layered john wayne casserole with ground beef and cheese, being lifted out of the dish with a spatula
4.98 from 43 votes

John Wayne Casserole

John Wayne Casserole is a delicious and filling layered casserole with seasoned ground meat, buttery biscuits, and a cheesy topping.
Author Diana
Servings 8 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 16-ounce can refrigerated large biscuits or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 2 pounds ground beef preferably 85% lean
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning or 1 1-ounce packet
  • ½ teaspoon salt optional. Only add if your taco seasoning is salt free.
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 14-ounce can ROTEL diced tomatoes & green chilies see note
  • 1 14-ounce can canned corn drained, or 2 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
  • 1 medium yellow onion sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, and spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
  • Press the biscuits into the bottom of pan so they overlap and cover the entire surface. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook and crumble the ground beef until browned. Drain away the fat, then season with taco seasoning. Add salt if needed, then add water and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring to combine.
  • Add the ROTEL tomatoes and the corn to the meat and cook until the mixture is just warmed through, then pour the meat over the cooked biscuit layer.
  • Wipe the skillet clean, heat the remaining oil and saute the onion and peppers for about 2 minutes until they are cooked but still firm. Season with a pinch of salt. Layer the vegetables over the ground beef in the casserole dish.
  • To make the topping, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion powder and half of both the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in a bowl. Layer this over the vegetables, then sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheeses are melted and starting to brown. Remove from the oven, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. You can buy ROTEL in mild, original, or hot varieties. Choose your spice level. If you want the casserole extra mild, use plain diced tomatoes instead. 
  2. You do not need to add salt to the meat mixture if the taco seasoning you use has salt in it. Most taco seasoning packets have plenty of salt in them already. 
  3. You can use Mexican blend shredded cheese in place of the mozzarella and cheddar if you prefer. 
  4. Feel free to leave out the corn if you like. 
  5. To Store: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days and can be easily reheated in the microwave or oven. 
  6. To Freeze: transfer leftovers to a freezer container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Nutrition

Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 409mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 889IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 3mg
Find it online: https://littlesunnykitchen.com/john-wayne-casserole/