John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, layered casserole dish that’s named after the iconic actor John Wayne, though he didn’t invent it—it’s said to be inspired by a recipe he contributed to a cookbook in the 1970s.
Common Ingredients:
While variations exist, a typical John Wayne Casserole includes:
- Ground beef (sometimes sausage or turkey instead)
- Taco seasoning
- Onions and bell peppers
- Diced tomatoes or Rotel (tomatoes with green chilies)
- Sour cream and mayonnaise (for the creamy layer)
- Cheddar cheese
- Bisquick or biscuit base (for the crust)
- Jalapeños (optional, for heat)
Basic Layering Structure:
- Biscuit layer at the bottom (using Bisquick or canned biscuits).
- Cooked, seasoned meat with onions and peppers.
- A creamy layer of sour cream, mayo, and cheese.
- More cheese on top, often with tomatoes or jalapeños.
Why it’s popular:
It’s comfort food—cheesy, savory, and satisfying. It’s also easy to customize based on your spice level or dietary needs.
Here’s an easy John Wayne Casserole recipe
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup water
• 1 can (10 oz) Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), drained
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 can (8 count) refrigerated biscuit dough
• Salt and pepper to taste
•
Instructions:
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
• Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in Rotel and onions. Cook another 2–3 minutes.
• Press biscuits into the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish to form a crust.
• Spread the meat mixture over the biscuit layer.
• In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayo, and 1 cup of cheese. Spread this over the meat layer.
• Top with remaining cheese.
• Bake for 25–30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and biscuits are cooked through.
• Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy