Description
Hearty John Wayne Casserole brings Tex-Mex flavors to your dinner table with bold southwestern flair. Layers of ground beef, peppers, and cheesy goodness promise a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds ground beef, browned, crumbled, and drained
- 1 4 ounces can green chiles
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Fresh cilantro, finely chopped (for garnish)
Dairy and Baking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ cup water
- 2 ¼ cups Bisquick mix, or baking mix
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 cup jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F, ensuring a consistent cooking environment.
- In a skillet over medium heat, transform chopped onions and red bell peppers into a tender, aromatic base.
- Introduce browned ground beef to the skillet, enriching the mixture with water and robust spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to develop deep flavors.
- Create a foundational dough by blending Bisquick mix with water, then carefully distribute across the greased baking dish to form an even layer.
- Craft a creamy sauce by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, and half the sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and well-integrated.
- Construct the casserole by layering the spiced beef mixture over the dough, then generously spread the creamy sauce on top.
- Artfully arrange sliced tomatoes, green chiles, remaining sharp cheddar, and jack cheese across the surface for a vibrant, textured finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, watching for bubbling, golden-brown cheese that signals perfect doneness.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro just before serving to add a bright, herbaceous note to the hearty casserole.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by using high-quality sharp cheddar and jack cheese for a richer taste profile.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting Bisquick with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix.
- Reduce calories by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream for a healthier alternative.
- Spice up the dish by adding jalapeños or hot sauce for those who enjoy extra heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 444 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 582 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg