John Wayne Casserole—the hearty, no-nonsense, feed-a-crowd classic 🤠
Here’s the most common (and beloved) version.
John Wayne Casserole (Classic)
What it’s like:
Cheesy, beefy, a little spicy, layered over biscuit crust. Comfort food through and through.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes w/ green chilies), drained
- 1 can sweet corn, drained
- 1 can black beans, rinsed & drained (optional but popular)
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (cut into quarters)
Cheesy topping:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1½–2 cups shredded cheddar (or Colby-Jack)
- Optional: sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown beef & onion in a skillet. Drain grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, corn, and beans. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Layer biscuits evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 dish.
- Spoon the beef mixture over the biscuits.
- Mix sour cream, mayo, and cheese. Spread over the top.
- Add jalapeños if you like a kick 🌶️
- Bake uncovered 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Rest 5–10 minutes before serving (it sets up better).
Easy Variations
- Spicier: Pepper jack cheese + extra jalapeños
- Milder: Plain diced tomatoes instead of Rotel
- Southwest twist: Add cumin + smoked paprika
- Shortcut: Use crescent roll dough instead of biscuits