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Home » Recipes » Casserole Recipes

John Wayne Casserole

Published: Dec 27, 2022 · Modified: Mar 19, 2023 by Bowl Me Over · 6 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight. It is made with ground beef, diced tomatoes, and onions, and is topped with a cheesy biscuit topping. This casserole is sure to please even the most finicky eaters.

Next time try the Stuffed Pepper Casserole, this is SO GOOD!

John Wayne Casserole in baking dish.
Original John Wayne Casserole Recipe
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Things to know
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • John Wayne Casserole

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️ It's hearty, filling, and easy to make.

✔️ It's made with simple ingredients that are all easy to find at your local grocery store.

✔️ Like the recipe for Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe's it's great for a busy weeknight dinner.

John Wayne Casserole Ingredients, with print overlay.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • large can biscuit dough
  • olive oil
  • lean ground beef
  • taco seasoning
  • medium onion
  • I used red and green peppers but you can certainly use all red or all green bell peppers.
  • sliced jalapeño peppers
  • Rotel - diced tomatoes with green chiles. If you prefer you can substitute with tomato slices.
  • sour cream
  • mild cheddar cheese
Part one instructions to make casserole, with print overlay.
Instructions for John Wayne Biscuit Casserole

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Place the biscuits in a single layer in the baking dish. Press them together to create one layer of dough.
  3. Transfer to the oven and bake until golden, about 12 minutes.
  4. While the biscuits bake, brown ground beef. Place a large heavy-duty skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
  5. Drain the excess fat from the skillet. Add the taco seasoning, salsa and rotel. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates, 3 to 4 minutes.
Collage of photos showing how to top casserole dish with remaining ingredients, with print overlay.
  1. Combine the sour cream and half of the cheese.
  2. Layer the ingredients evenly on top of the dough in this order; the ground beef mixture, and sour cream mixture, then top with the sliced jalapeño and remaining cheese.
  3. Bake until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown slightly, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • casserole dish
  • large skillet or fry pan

FAQ's

What's the story behind John Wayne Casserole?

This casserole is credited to the famous actor John Wayne. It is said to be one of his favorite dishes, and it has become a popular dish in the South. The original recipe was published by Cara Connery in Cooking with Love from Cara and friends, this book is a compilation of recipes from famous people like Alan Alda, John Wayne and Walter Cronkite.

Is cast iron good for casserole?

If you don't have a casserole dish, you can use a cast iron skillet. Just make sure that it is well-seasoned so that the food doesn't stick to it.

Can I make this casserole dish ahead?

Yes, you can make this easy recipe up to two days in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator wrapped with plastic wrap or foil and bake it when you are ready to eat.

Things to know

  • If you don't have Rotel on hand, you can make your own with diced tomatoes and green chilies added.
  • I like to shred my own cheese, but you can use pre-shredded if you want to save a little time.
  • Add a little more flavor to your casserole by adding garlic powder, onion powder, or extra chili powder to the ground beef while it is cooking.
  • I used homemade taco seasoning for this recipe, but if you don't have your own on hand you can use your favorite brand's packet taco seasoning.
John Wayne Casserole on  plate with chips and fork.

Variations

  • If you are a fan of spicy foods you can red pepper flakes or diced jalapeno peppers to this recipe.
  • You can switch out the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even black beans in place of the meat.
  • If you don't like sour cream, you can substitute plain yogurt.
  • Add more vegetables to this recipe by adding zucchini, corn, fresh tomatoes, or even black beans to this casserole.

Storage

Refrigerate - Store the leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Freezer - You can freeze this easy casserole, but it's best to do so before baking it. Wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe dish. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Reheat - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

You can also reheat this cheesy casserole in the microwave, but it won't be as crispy. Just heat on high power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute.

Related recipes

  • The Lemon Chicken Casserole and Ultimate Chicken Casserole are classic comfort food recipes that are simple to make.
  • Change up your Taco Tuesday routine by making this family favorite Chicken Taco Casserole recipe. You won't regret making this simple dish.
  • Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole - another hearty casserole dish, with ground beef, tater tots, a southwestern mix of spices and loaded with cheese. It's sure to be a family favorite.
  • The Johnny Marzetti Recipe and Lazy Lasagna Casserole are both hearty meals, perfect if you're serving a crowd.
  • Frito Pie Casserole is one of my personal favorites, I think it's the crunchy, cheesy topping!
  • Next time you are looking for something different but don't know what to make, give this Ham Tetrazzini Casserole a try. It's a twist on a classic casserole recipe and even the picky eaters in your house will enjoy it.
  • There's nothing better than this Salisbury Steak Recipe - just like your favorite diner, it has the best gravy!

Serve with

  • Make this hearty casserole into a complete meal by serving it alongside these Pan Roasted Vegetables. They are a tasty side dish that is packed full of flavor and nutrients.
  • These Yeast Rolls are soft, and buttery and pair well with this easy meal. You can never go wrong with a yeast roll as a side dish.
  • This Apricot Pie is a sweet treat that is perfect for summer and your whole family will love this fruit pie.

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Cheesy casserole and chips on plate with fork.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 2 votes

John Wayne Casserole

This easy to make TexMex Casserole will quickly become a family favorite!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time55 mins
Resting time10 mins
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American, TexMex
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 629kcal
Author: Deb Clark
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 16.3 ounce can refrigerated biscuits
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef preferably 85% lean
  • 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
  • ½ cup salsa
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper diced
  • 10.5 ounce Rotel diced tomatoes with peppers
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 jalapenos, sliced

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place the biscuits in a single layer in the baking dish. Press them together to create one layer of dough.
  • Transfer to the oven and bake until golden, about 14-16 minutes.
  • While the biscuits bake, cook ground beef. Place a large heavy-duty skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain the excess fat from the skillet. Add the taco seasoning, salsa and rotel. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream and half the shredded cheddar cheese. Slice the jalapeño into thin slices.
  • Layer the ingredients evenly on top of the baked biscuit crust in this order; start with the ground beef onion-pepper-tomato mixture, sour cream-cheddar mixture, top with sliced jalapeños. Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown slightly, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 629kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1193mg | Potassium: 606mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1438IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 4mg
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More Casserole Recipes

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  • Apricot Chicken Casserole

About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lee Warren

    November 04, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    Hi! I am making this tonight and looking forward to try it. However, there is no mention of jalapeños listed in the ingredients list. It talks about it in the instructions. So no jalapeños tonight! You might want to add it to the ingredients list. Otherwise I think it’s going to taste great!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      November 05, 2022 at 11:11 am

      Thanks Lee I made that correction, much appreciated!

      Reply
      • Hf

        March 19, 2023 at 9:53 am

        Still shows no jalapeños so I missed that tonight as well. Didn’t read the comments until now. Ingredients need the jalapeño amount listed😞

        Reply
        • Bowl Me Over

          March 19, 2023 at 2:52 pm

          Thanks for letting me know, I updated the ingredient list. Add thinly sliced jalapenos to taste.

          Reply
  2. Misty White

    September 23, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    Hi. Did you use a 9X13" baking dish?

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      September 23, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      Yes that's correct, great question Misty, I'll update the recipe card - thanks for asking. Enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

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