This Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe is a hearty, comforting meal that serves as the perfect way to bring the whole family together around the dinner table. Featuring layers of herbed biscuit crust, seasoned ground beef, creamy sour cream, and melted cheese, this dish is a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing favorite. Whether you know it as a Tex-Mex bake or a John Wayne casserole, it is guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest cowboys.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are many reasons why this Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Simple ingredients: This recipe utilizes convenient shortcuts like boxed biscuit mix and pre-packaged taco seasoning to save time.
- Easy to prepare: Perfect for a busy weeknight, this dinner comes together in just a few straightforward steps.
- Highly customizable: You can easily swap proteins, cheeses, or vegetables to suit your family’s specific tastes.
- Crowd-friendly: It is an excellent choice for feeding a large group and tastes just as delicious when reheated for leftovers the next day.
Ingredients
To make this Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (including the seasoning packet)
- 3/4 cup milk (can be substituted with water)
- 1 lb ground beef (lean ground beef is recommended)
- 1 cup onion, diced (about 1/2 of a large onion)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup colby jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can RO*TEL diced tomatoes with green chilis (do not drain)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a delicious, layered Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe:
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix the biscuit base: In a medium bowl, stir together the biscuit mix, the enclosed seasoning packet from the box, and the milk. Mix until just combined.
- Spread and pre-bake: Spread the biscuit mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish in an even layer. Bake the crust alone for 5 minutes.
- Cook the beef: While the crust is in the oven, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Season the meat: Stir in 1/4 cup of water and the taco seasoning packet. Mix well to ensure the beef is evenly coated.
- Layer the casserole: Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture over the pre-baked biscuit bottom. Pour the entire can of RO*TEL (with its juices) evenly over the beef layer.
- Prepare the creamy topping: In a separate bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded colby jack cheese. Spread this mixture carefully over the tomatoes.
- Add cheese and bake: Top the entire casserole with the shredded cheddar cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps the layers set.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
To get the best results with your Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe, consider these helpful hints:
Spreading the biscuit dough: The dough can be quite sticky. I recommend spraying your hands or a spatula with non-stick cooking spray to help spread the biscuit dough into an even layer in the dish.
Shred your own cheese: For the best melting consistency and flavor, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
Don’t skip the rest: It is tempting to dig in immediately, but letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes is crucial. This allows the creamy layer to firm up so the portions stay together when sliced.
Variations & Substitutions
This Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe is very versatile. Here are a few ways you can change it up:
- Protein swaps: If you prefer, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground sausage, or ground chicken. For a heartier version, try mixing in a can of drained black beans.
- Biscuit alternatives: If you cannot find the specific Cheddar Bay mix, a standard Bisquick mix works well. Just add a little garlic powder and dried parsley to mimic the flavor.
- Cheese options: Feel free to use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or even Pepper Jack cheese if you want a bit of extra heat.
- Creamy layer: If you want to lighten the dish, the sour cream can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt.
- Tomato alternatives: If RO*TEL is too spicy or unavailable, you can use a jar of your favorite salsa or a can of petite diced tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
This Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with several side dishes. Consider serving it with a crisp green side salad to balance the richness of the cheese and beef. You could also serve it alongside some Mexican-style street corn (elote) or with a side of tortilla chips and extra salsa. For toppings, feel free to add fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime juice right before eating.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Storage: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Freezing: This casserole can be frozen. Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: For the best texture, reheat portions in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through. Alternatively, you can use the microwave for a quick lunch, heating in 30-second intervals.
Nutrition Information
The following table provides the approximate nutritional values per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 409 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Total Fat | 35 g |
| Saturated Fat | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Sodium | 338 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.
Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the biscuit mix, the enclosed seasoning packet from the box, and the milk. Mix until just combined.1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix, 3/4 cup milk
- Spread the biscuit mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish in an even layer. Bake the crust alone for 5 minutes.
- While the crust is in the oven, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.1 lb ground beef
- Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until slightly softened.1 cup onion, 1 red bell pepper
- Stir in 1/4 cup of water and the taco seasoning packet. Mix well to ensure the beef is evenly coated.1/4 cup water, 1 packet taco seasoning
- Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture over the pre-baked biscuit bottom. Pour the entire can of RO*TEL (with its juices) evenly over the beef layer.1 can RO*TEL diced tomatoes with green chilis
- In a separate bowl, stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded colby jack cheese. Spread this mixture carefully over the tomatoes.1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup colby jack cheese
- Top the entire casserole with the shredded cheddar cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.2 cups cheddar cheese
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps the layers set.
Notes
FAQ
Can you make cattle drive casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components of this Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe in advance. You can brown the beef and mix the sour cream layer a day ahead. However, for the best texture of the biscuit crust, it is recommended to assemble and bake the dish just before you plan to serve it.
What to serve with this ground beef casserole?
This dish goes great with simple sides like steamed corn, a garden salad, or even a scoop of guacamole. Because it has a biscuit base and plenty of protein, you don’t need much to make it a full feast.
Is this the same as John Wayne Casserole?
Yes, this recipe is very similar to the classic John Wayne Casserole. Both feature a biscuit-style crust, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy, cheesy topping, though some versions vary the vegetable layers.
Can I use water instead of milk for the crust?
You can certainly use water if you are out of milk. The milk provides a slightly richer flavor and a more tender crumb to the biscuit layer, but water will still produce a delicious result.