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John Wayne Casserole

I made this John Wayne casserole on a lark and it ended up being one of the best one-pan meals I've discovered!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 12 people
Calories 5859.2 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Pan For baking the casserole
  • 1 Large Nonstick Skillet For browning beef and cooking vegetables
  • 2 Mixing Bowls One for meat, one for creamy mixture
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For cooking and stirring

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 16.3 ounce can refrigerated biscuits
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 1 ounce package taco seasoning
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 medium onion halved and sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper halved and sliced
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese divided
  • 2 medium tomatoes sliced
  • 1 4 ounce jar sliced jalapeno peppers, drained (Optional)

Instructions
 

  • Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Place and press biscuit dough into the bottom of the baking pan and halfway up the sides. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Leave the oven on. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Meanwhile, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Drain fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Transfer cooked meat to a bowl and wipe out the skillet. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Add onion and bell peppers to the same skillet and cook over medium heat until slightly tender, about 5 minutes. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/2 of the Cheddar cheese, and 1/2 of the onion-pepper mixture in a bowl. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Layer browned meat, tomatoes, onion-pepper mixture, jalapeño peppers, and sour cream mixture on top of prebaked biscuit dough. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY
  • Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. ALLRECIPES/VICTORIA JEMPTY

Notes

For the biscuit base, ensure even pressing and don't under-bake; a slightly crispier base prevents sogginess. Thoroughly brown your ground beef, as this builds the foundational flavor of the casserole; drain all excess fat for a cleaner finish. When sautéing onions and bell peppers, aim for tender-crispness to maintain textural contrast. To elevate the creamy layer, consider a small addition of cream cheese or a touch of lime juice for brightness. For optimal melt and flavor, shred your own Cheddar and don't hesitate to blend with a Monterey Jack. Finish with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for a vibrant garnish and added freshness.