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!
Want to try this in the slow cooker? Try our Crockpot John Wayne Casserole!
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 jalapeños 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!)
How to Make John Wayne 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 12-15 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!
- One of our most popular dinners is this Mexican Chicken Casserole, hearty and full of delicious flavors.
- Beef Stroganoff Casserole is a hearty weeknight dinner the whole family will love thanks to its rich flavors and creamy sauce.
- Not only is this 7 Layer Casserole affordable but it’s quick and easy to make in a pinch.
- This creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole is a satisfying comfort meal.
- Cabbage Rolls are a true comfort dish stuffed with a variety of different flavors and textures.
- Easy Chicken Tetrazzini is the creamiest, most satisfying pasta bake to date piled with parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese.
- Lasagna Roll Ups are perfect for prepping ahead of time and freezing, making weeknights a breeze!
John Wayne Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 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
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ 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
Before You Begin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and place your oven rack in the center. Spray a 13×9 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 12-15 minutes; checking every few minutes after 12. 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.
Nutrition
This post was originally published here on Apr 22, 2015.
Amanda Davis
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Rockychef says
Is the interesting story that it is named after an old racist white guy?
Love cooking not hating says
Come on is it really necessary to be rude over a recipe shared. SMH
Melissa Richardson says
Delicious!! My whole family loved it. Even the leftovers heated up were yummy.
Karen says
A lot if prep involved but meal was just average. It might be better with a less bulky crust. Maybe rolling out a can of crescent rolls.
Carolyn Montgomery says
I added Pickled Jalapeños. Oh my that took it to another level. My husband who is not a fan is casseroles loved it.
A definite keeper.
Patricia G Thursby says
Do you have any low sugar recipes?
Henny says
I made this and shared with my family as there are only two of us. It was definitely a hit. I made it as you instructed and it turned out great!! It’s a very filling dish, great for husbands and sons!! I have enjoyed all of your recipes that I have tried.
Roger says
This was a great meal will definitely make it again.
Tina P says
I substituted frozen biscuits, then pressed them down after baking them, then added the layers. I also substituted cream cheese for the mayo, which made it nice and creamy, it was delicious! Definitely going to make again, very comforting dish❤️
Ray Milton says
Great meals could eat them all the time. 😏😏
Rebecca says
Im sorry, but we couldn’t finish eating it. I went exactly by what the recipe called for but it was not that appetizing. Too much meat with not a lot of wetness/cream mixture. By the time I served my husband his plate, the biscuit was mushy. I really wanted to like this because it was a fairly easy recipe.
Ericka In Tennessee says
Great recipe. I do not cook the biscuits in advance. I cook them all at the same time. Otherwise the biscuits come out burned and hard. Learned that lesson the hard way.
Karen says
Thanks for ur comment. Same thing happened to me. I’m getting ready to make it again. I hope I got what u were saying, but I’m assuming you did everything the same except u put everything together with the biscuits raw and baked all together. Hope this works for me! Thx again!
Carmen L. Hoover says
Amanda I’m just making this casserole, looks delicious! The whole house smells heavenly! Sure it’s going to be among our favorites! I thank you!
Sheila says
I made mine with pie crust and it was delicious!!!!! I made 2 and by Morning one was already gone I’m praying after I get off there is still more left😃 thank you John
Starla Thompson says
I made this for a church dinner, and there wasn’t even one bite left. Everyone loved it!
Russ Bryant says
Curious, where’s the “interesting story” that’s behind the description? Did I miss it?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Russ! There’s a paragraph in the post that starts with
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. <- There's a link in this sentence :)
Hartsister says
Quite delicious! Always happy to discover another ground beef recipe 😊
Serenity says
A bit bland and soggy on the first day. It was tastier the following day.
Julie says
Husband does not do leftovers on consecutive nights. He not only did this but had lunch as well!!! We both loved it and he wants me to make it for his work crew as well. Thanks for an awesome recipe!!!
Randal says
Recipe is delicious but had to change a few things since my son hates tomatoes in their natural form, wife hates bell pepper and can pick up bell pepper taste out of anything cuz she hates it so much and I’m the only one who likes spicy. So I did this recipe exactly the same except I subbed a can of Rotel for the tomato, pepper flavors, and it turned out great and everyone loved it!
Tina Nelson says
Omg the drained Rotella is the way to go!! Poker group devoured this dish. Thanks!
Christine Fortier says
This recipe is so easy to make and it’s awesome.
Sammantha Davidson says
Very tasty and hearty – just my kind of recipe. All my kids from 2-11 loved it! Will be making this again!