🥘 Creamy Layered John Wayne Casserole
Rich layers of taco-seasoned beef, sweet peppers, creamy ranch sauce, and melted cheese over a golden biscuit base
📋 Ingredients:
1 (16.3 oz) can refrigerated biscuits
2 pounds ground beef
1 (1 oz) packet 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
Optional: sliced jalapeños for added heat
📝 Instructions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Prepare Biscuit Crust: Press the refrigerated biscuit dough into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 15–20 minutes. Leave the oven on.
Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, cook the sliced onions and bell peppers over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes.
Prepare Creamy Mixture: In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the shredded Cheddar cheese, and half of the sautéed onion-pepper mixture. Mix well.
Assemble Casserole: On the pre-baked biscuit crust, layer the seasoned ground beef, sliced tomatoes, remaining sautéed vegetables, and optional jalapeños. Spread the creamy mixture over the top and sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar cheese.
Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until the cheese is browned and bubbly, about 30–40 minutes.
Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting dish with your favorite sides!