John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, cheesy, Tex-Mex-inspired dish named (loosely) after the iconic Western actor John Wayne. It’s a layered casserole with ground beef, taco seasoning, vegetables, and lots of cheese over a biscuit or crescent roll crust. It’s super popular for potlucks and family dinners.
Here’s a classic version of the recipe:
John Wayne Casserole Recipe
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
Base Layer:
- 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands), or crescent rolls
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
Vegetable & Cheese Layer:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), drained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or sub with more sour cream for a lighter version)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the crust:
Press biscuit dough (or crescent roll dough) into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Press slightly up the sides to form a crust. Bake for 10–12 minutes until slightly golden. Remove from oven but keep the oven on. - Cook the meat:
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat. Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. - Sauté the veggies:
In a separate skillet (or after removing beef), sauté onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the drained diced tomatoes and green chilies (if using). Mix well. - Mix sour cream layer:
In a bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the shredded cheese (1 cup), and a pinch of salt and pepper. - Assemble the casserole:
- Layer cooked taco meat over the pre-baked crust.
- Spread the sautéed veggie/tomato mixture evenly over the meat.
- Spread the sour cream/cheese mixture on top.
- Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese over everything.
- Bake:
Return the dish to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. - Cool & serve:
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Serve with toppings like chopped green onions, jalapeños, or avocado if desired.
Tips & Variations:
- You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or a vegetarian crumble.
- Add a layer of black beans or corn for more flavor and texture.
- Spice it up with jalapeños or hot sauce.