John Wayne Casserole Recipe

Ground beef: Provides the hearty, meaty base for the casserole.

Taco seasoning: A mix of spices that adds a Southwestern flavor to the beef.

Sour cream: Adds creaminess and tang to the dish.

Mayonnaise: Contributes to the creamy texture and rich flavor.

Cheddar cheese: Melts on top to create a gooey, cheesy layer.

Onion: Adds a bit of crunch and sweetness.

Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Brings a spicy, tangy element to the casserole.

Biscuits: Form the base layer, adding a fluffy, bread-like texture.

When preparing the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even pieces as it cooks. This ensures that the taco seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat, giving you a consistent flavor in every bite. Additionally, when layering the biscuits in the baking dish, slightly flatten them with your hands to create a more even base for the beef mixture. This helps the casserole bake more uniformly and prevents any undercooked dough spots.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• taco seasoning - Substitute with homemade spice mix: Combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano to create a similar flavor without the additives.

• sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor while being lower in fat and higher in protein.

• mayonnaise - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt provides a similar creamy consistency and tanginess, making it a healthier alternative.

• cheddar cheese - Substitute with Monterey Jack cheese: Monterey Jack melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can be a nice variation in the casserole.

• diced tomatoes with green chilies - Substitute with diced tomatoes and canned green chilies: Combining plain diced tomatoes with canned green chilies allows you to control the heat level and flavor.

• biscuits - Substitute with crescent roll dough: Crescent roll dough provides a similar flaky texture and can be used in the same way as biscuits in the casserole.

• Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the biscuits soggy.
• Transfer the John Wayne Casserole to an airtight container. If you prefer, you can also cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This ensures the ground beef and dairy ingredients remain fresh and safe to eat.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the casserole. Cut it into individual portions for easier reheating.
• Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped portions in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Beyond this, the quality may start to degrade, although it will still be safe to eat.
• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.
• If reheating from frozen, it's best to thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Then follow the same reheating instructions as above.
• For a quicker option, you can microwave individual portions. Place on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a microwave-safe cover. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
• Always ensure the casserole is heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving. This ensures all ingredients, especially the ground beef, are safe to eat.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover John Wayne Casserole in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from drying out.
  4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer a portion of the casserole to a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to stir and ensure even heating.
  4. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until thoroughly warmed.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Add the leftover John Wayne Casserole to the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the casserole is heated through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover casserole in an air fryer-safe dish or on a piece of aluminum foil.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. Continue heating until the casserole is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the casserole in a toaster oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is thoroughly warmed and the cheese is melted.

• Skillet: Used to cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded cheese.

• Baking dish: Used to layer the biscuits and other ingredients before baking.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) and used to bake the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Spatula: Used to stir the taco seasoning into the beef and to spread the beef mixture over the biscuits.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded cheese.

• Can opener: Used to open the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies.

• Knife: Used to chop the onion.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to chop the onion.

• Colander: Used to drain the fat from the cooked ground beef.

Pre-cook the beef: Cook the ground beef in advance and store it in the fridge. This will save you time when assembling the casserole.

Use pre-chopped onions: Buy pre-chopped onions from the store to cut down on prep time.

Shredded cheese: Purchase pre-shredded cheddar cheese to avoid the extra step of shredding it yourself.

Ready-made biscuits: Use canned biscuits to save time on making dough from scratch.

Mix sauces ahead: Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheese mixture the night before to streamline the process.