Have you ever heard of John Wayne Casserole? Delicious layers of ground beef, cheese mixture, fresh vegetables and Jalapeno peppers baked on top of a biscuit crust make for an amazing weeknight dinner!
There’s an interesting story about this casserole below, but what you really need to know is that it’s a delicious option for a dinner leftovers too!
John Wayne Casserole Recipe
Like my taco empanadas, this recipe is one of my top picks for dinner ideas that use ground beef. Casseroles are really popular, but it’s taken me up until the last ten years to really embrace them. This is one of my favorites, along with my Hamburger Casserole!
Why is it called John Wayne Casserole?
Apparently, this John Wayne Casserole recipe has some interesting origins, including information on why it’s named what it is. Regardless of its origins, it’s a tasty dinner that your family will love. The jalapenos do not make this too hot, so don’t be too concerned about that. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Ingredients you will need:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or you can use my homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 16-ounce can large biscuits (or homemade biscuits)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 8-ounces cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 medium onion, halved and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, halved and sliced
- 1 (4-ounce) can sliced Jalapeno peppers
- 13×9 baking dish (I just bought two of these and LOVE them!)
Making this casserole
I used Pillsbury Grands biscuits. I’m sure a generic or store brand would be fine as well. I don’t think I would bother making biscuits from scratch for this since they are just going to get buried, but if you prefer to do that, here’s a recipe for homemade biscuits you can use.
Place biscuits in greased 13×9 pan in a single layer and press into the pan, joining them together, pressing the dough halfway up the sides of the pan. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake dough in preheated oven on the center rack for 15-25 minutes at 350 F; checking every few minutes after 15.
The dough should be very light brown where the edges are just starting to get color. Remove from oven and set aside, leave oven on.
In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of onions. Stir well and set aside.
Combine the browned ground beef with the taco seasoning and water, and cook according to packet instructions. Transfer cooked taco meat to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out pan.
Saute remaining onions and bell peppers on the taco meat pan until slightly tender.
On top of baked biscuit crust, layer ingredients in the following order: taco meat, tomato slices, bell pepper and onion mixture, Jalapeno peppers, sour cream mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until edges of dough are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
Hope you enjoy it, I know we did!
More Casseroles you might like:
A lot of people have commented below saying they love this John Wayne Casserole and it’s become a regular part of their recipe rotation. I have some more casseroles you’ll like as well. Try some of these and let me know!
- A very popular ground beef or lamb recipe is Shepherd’s Pie. It’s one of those comforting recipes, and one that’s been around for a long time. There are so many different versions of Shepherds and Cottage Pie. This is my take on the classic, and it’s one the whole family loves!
- I grew up eating beef stew. Turning it into a simple casserole, especially fun little single servings was easy to do. My Beef Stew Biscuit Pot Pie pictured below has become a family favorite. It’s a great way to combine comfort food and the ease of a casserole in one. It’s also perfect for leftover stew!
- One of my favorite casseroles of all time doesn’t actually have any meat in it. On top of it, yes, but not in it! I’m a potato lover through and through, and I live in Wisconsin, so cheese is pretty much inevitable. The first time I made these Bacon Topped Three Cheese Potatoes I knew they would be a hit.
- This Chicken Tostada Casserole is truly delicious. If you’re looking for something to use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken in, try this enchilada flavored dish. I use homemade enchilada sauce, the recipe for that is available in the tostada casserole post as well. But if you prefer, you can use canned.
- I remember when I made this Sweet Italian Sausage, Pepper and Potato Bake for the first time. It was a recipe I developed on my own and it ended up with a bit too much liquid. But that did not stop us from eating the entire dish! In fact, it’s kind of like a stew and casserole in one!
- One of our most popular dinners is this Mexican Chicken Casserole, hearty and full of delicious flavors.
More from other blogs:
- Southwestern Tatertots Casserole from Tatertots & Jello
- Skinny Turkey Enchilada Casserole from DIY Candy
John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef browned and drained
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning plus water listed on the back
or my homemade taco seasoning - 16 ounce can large biscuits
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- 1 medium onion halved and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper halved and sliced
- 4 ounces canned sliced Jalapeno peppers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and place your oven rack in the center. Spray a 13x9 glass baking dish.
- Place biscuits in pan in a single layer and press into the pen, joining them together, pressing the dough halfway up the sides of the pan. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake dough in preheated oven for 15-25 minutes; checking every few minutes after 15. The dough should be very light brown where the edges are just starting to get color. Remove from oven and set aside, leave oven on.
- While biscuits are baking, combine the browned ground beef with the taco seasoning and water, and cook according to packet instructions. Transfer cooked taco meat to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out pan.
- In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of onions. Stir well and set aside.
- Saute remaining onions and bell peppers on the taco meat pan until slightly tender.
- On top of baked biscuit crust, layer ingredients in the following order: taco meat, tomato slices, bell pepper and onion mixture, Jalapeno peppers, sour cream mixture and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until edges of dough are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
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This post was originally published here on Apr 22, 2015.
Amanda Formaro
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CarlA M Roberts says
This was delicious. Don’t precook the buns. I cut the pre-made buns into 4 and dropped them all over the pan. I then put all the toppings on and cooked for 37 minutes. It was perfect.
Brenda M Hawkins says
I’m allergic to wheat so can’t use canned biscuits, and just didn’t feel like making my own. BUT, I did have lots of potatoes, so I diced them small and actually baked them for about 20 by themselves, then followed the recipe from there. Really good, hubs went back for seconds.
Tammi says
Made this for dinner last night. After reading the comments, I barely cooked the biscuits maybe 12 minutes. We enjoyed it!
Glennda says
Hi Amanda,
I stumbled across your recipe, John Wayne’s Casserole the other night. And had a friend of mine help me make it. Much to our surprise, we LOVED IT. My friend said she wants to make it for her family one night. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome to hear, thank you!
Toni Crawford says
Very good! We buy our ground beef at Costco so I used one pkg at just under 1-1/2 lbs. I also adjusted the taco seasoning as we also buy this in a container at Costco and it turned out delicious. I will be making this again! Thank you!
Colleen says
this is not John Wayne casserole John Wayne casserole is egg tomato and canned green peppers. My grandma used to make it and she passed the recipe down to me it never had beef or biscuits and jalapenos and taco seasoning that’s all new and made up
Amanda Formaro says
Hmm you’re the first one to say that. Never heard of that version before.
Al says
This is the recipe I’ve always heard
JOHN WAYNE CASSEROLE
Ingredients
1 can (4 1/2 oz) chopped green chilies
1 pound Monterey Jack cheese, grated
1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
4 eggs, separated
2/3 cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cayenne pepper to taste
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced thick
Directions
Butter a 2-quart, oven-proof casserole dish.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss the chilies with the cheeses and place into dish.
Combine the egg yolks, evaporated milk, flour and salt and cayenne, and beat thoroughly.
Whip the egg whites until stiff and fold into the yolk mixture.
Pour over cheese mixture in dish and pierce with fork to allow liquid to absorb into cheese.
Bake 40 minutes.
Place tomato slices in a layer on top and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Paulette says
We loved this! Halved the burger. Didn’t half fresh tomatoes but had canned. Used the juice from those as the water for the taco seasoning. Oh, and used your taco blend, and it is delicious. Biscuits were yummy. Just be sure to cook the biscuits very lightly the first go. Thank you!
Debora L Smith says
Thanks for the tips! I am making this tonight I will leave a comment after my picky husband tries it.
Kevin says
This wasn’t bad, but it seemed a little bland and I felt like it needed for taco seasoning, considering there was 2 pounds of ground beef. I feel like it should have 2 packets of taco seasoning. Also, the meat was somewhat dry. So, I feel like it could use some taco sauce or salsa. That would make it more moist & help with adding flavor.
Pam Marrs says
Liked this recipe. I have to halve recipe and it was quite easy to do. Husband enjoyed it too. It’s a keeper & it’s hard to find them!
Ann says
The casserole ingredients worked well together, but the layer of biscuits ruined the dish. I followed the instructions exactly, but they were tough and could not be cut with a fork. If I do make this again the biscuits will be served on the side.
Lisa Clark says
Loved it!
Ralph Muscato says
That looks great
Pat Franzen says
I found that 2 lbs of meat is pretty overwhelming. I would definitely use 1 lb next time. The biscuit crust was also a problem for me. It was so thick and hard that it could not be cut with a fork and i had a very hard time cutting it in the pan with a spatula for serving. The sauteed onions were great but the onions in the mayo mix were tough and undercooked. This would probably require a lot of changes but i probably just won’t make it again.
Dorothy Johns says
I don’t like taco seasoning,what other seasoning mix can I use
Amanda Formaro says
Hmm, maybe a chili seasoning!
Kristina Tidwell says
I’ve read that a little girl was doing a fundraiser for the American Cancer Foundation and she found John Wayne was in the hospital being treated for his (stomach) cancer. He gave this as a breakfast recipe but I think the biscuits should be pulled apart into 2s to make the crust a little thinner. I’ve seen that Mr Wayne was quite the cook in his day, so it didn’t surprise me when I saw that he gave this recipe to do a fundraiser. I’ve never met him in person myself, but I sure tried to watch all of his movies! What a great cowboy!
Tina Barnette says
my family loves it!