The tasty dish with the weird name, this John Wayne Casserole is made with meat, cheese and just the right amount of spice to make your dinner table the happiest place on this side of the Mississippi!
LOOKING FOR MORE CASSEROLE RECIPES? CHECK OUT:
- MACARONI CORN CASSEROLE
- CROCKPOT MEXICAN CASSEROLE
- JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN CASSEROLE
- BACON CHEESEBURGER TATER TOT CASSEROLE
- DORITO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
What Is A John Wayne Casserole?
So, what exactly is a John Wayne Casserole? Why is it named after the famous actor? Well, it appears that years ago, he donated this recipe to a charity cookbook. But, over the past several decades, it has evolved quite a bit. While doing research for this recipe, I found so many different versions of this recipe. In fact, it appears that the original John Wayne Casserole recipe (meaning, the version that John Wayne created!) didn’t even have meat in it, only egg. But over the years, ground beef has been inserted into most of the recipes. Regardless, from what I can tell, no matter how this recipe is tweaked, it seems to be a huge hit at dinner tables everywhere.
But, really, what’s not to love? Taco meat, peppers, onions, chilis and tons of cheese all piled on a layer of biscuits? Yes please! This is literally what comfort food is all about, and we are proud to have it here at Bubba Pie! So, without wasting any more time, let’s head to the wild west and whip up our version of this John Wayne Casserole.
John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups bisquick
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 can, 10 oz, diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can, 4 oz, diced chilies
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 packet, 1 oz, taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add bisquick and 1 cup water. Mix well. Spread into prepared pan. Set aside.
- Brown beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water and heat for an additional 3-5 minutes. Spread on top of bisquick layer. Add diced tomatoes on top.
- Heat green pepper and onion in a skillet until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on top of beef. Add green chilies spooning evenly on top.
- In a separate bowl, add sour cream, mayonnaise and 1 cup of cheese. Mix well. Spoon on top of peppers.
- Top with remaining cheese
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Let set for 5 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.
A Recipe Made To Be Tweaked
One way to tweak this recipe to your tastes is the level of spice involved. For this version, we used green chilies to add a little heat. And, while technically green chilis and jalapenos are the same thing, I think putting from fresh sliced jalapenos into this recipe would be delicious. You could also mix in some taco cheese or pepper jack cheese to add even more kick!
Let’s be honest, this recipe wouldn’t be considered a light and lean dish. So, if you are looking to pump the breaks on the calories, you could certainly make some adjustments there as well. Try subbing the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You could also use low fat or light mayonnaise, cheese or sour cream.
A Great Recipe For A Crowd
Try this recipe at your next dinner party or if you have friends over to watch the big game. It does a great job feeding a larger number of people. Or, if you have it for a weeknight family dinner, you will certainly have leftovers.
We love to bake casseroles in our Le Creuset Casserole Dish because it comes with a lid! You can just keep your leftovers right in your casserole dish in the fridge! No more aluminum foil! Or, if you are looking for something a little less expensive, this one works great too!
Or, you can get this 6 piece non-stick oven bakeware baking set. It comes with just about ANY pan you’ll ever need to bake with! From muffins to bread loafs to cookie sheets. And it’s only $26.00!!!
And trust me, this is one of those dishes that will taste just as good, if not better, reheated the next day!
I hope you enjoy this John Wayne Casserole recipe. Let me know what you think in the comments!
John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups bisquick
- 1 cup water
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet 1 oz, taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 can 10 oz, diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can 4 oz, diced chilies
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
-
In a large bowl, add bisquick and 1 cup water. Mix well. Spread into prepared pan. Set aside.
-
Brown beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water and heat for an additional 3-5 minutes. Spread on top of bisquick layer. Add diced tomatoes on top.
-
Heat green pepper and onion in a skillet until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on top of beef. Add green chilies spooning evenly on top.
-
In a separate bowl, add sour cream, mayonnaise and 1 cup of cheese. Mix well. Spoon on top of peppers.
-
Top with remaining cheese
-
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Let set for 5 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.
Recipe Notes
One way to tweak this recipe to your tastes is the level of spice involved. For this version, we used green chilies to add a little heat. And, while technically green chilis and jalapenos are the same thing, I think putting from fresh sliced jalapenos into this recipe would be delicious. You could also mix in some taco cheese or pepper jack cheese to add even more kick!
Let’s be honest, this recipe wouldn’t be considered a light and lean dish. So, if you are looking to pump the breaks on the calories, you could certainly make some adjustments there as well. Try subbing the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You could also use low fat or light mayonnaise, cheese or sour cream.
Dianne says
Delicious! Leftovers also freeze well!!
Kathy says
I’m so happy you enjoyed our recipe!
Judy Dalton JudyD says
The first time I made this was for a Church gathering. I never got to try it,was gone before I got thru the line. I had several come for the recipe at Church. Must have been good,they said it was. I am making it for dinner tonight.
Kathy says
I’m so happy they enjoyed it! Thank you for letting us know!
Paul says
Made it last night. It was a hit with my teenagers and I. Simple with a great flavor pay off. My ideal recipe.
Kathy says
I am so happy your family enjoyed it!
Kathy Anderson says
I made this for my family. It was delicious no one complained about leftovers!! They loved it❤️
Kathy says
I’m so glad your family enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Lindsey says
I’ve been wanting to try this recipe for a while now & finally did tonight. AMAZING! I didn’t have green chilies & I used 2 cups of carbquick in place of bisquick, it turned out great. I will definitely be making again, thank you!
Kathy says
I am so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting us know the substitutions you made.
Cheryl Fey says
I’m going to make this, looks and sounds delicious!
Kathy says
Be sure to come back and let us know your thoughts.
Fel says
I have a question.. do we drain the meat after browning?
Kathy says
Yes, you will want to do that. I need to update the recipe to state that.
Loretta says
I tried this recipe and I loved it! Also, delicious the next day great leftovers. Will definitely be making this again!
Karen Woolsey says
I’m a 79 yr. old , living alone, but had to try this. Amazing!!!! Shared with neighbors and they loved it too. Definitely will make again!!! Thank you for sharing!
Kathy says
Thanks so much for the comment! Yep, it is one of our favorites. So many delicious ingredients!
Steve says
Delicious 😋
Kathy says
Thanks so much for the feedback!
Joyce says
What are green chilies as I’ve been unable to find. What can we use in its replacement
Kathy says
You’ll need a 10 oz can of diced tomatoes that have green chilis in them. And then also a 4 oz can of mild green diced chilis. Both should be very easy to find in any grocery store.
Joyce says
Not green but what your recipe calls for Breen chilies
Kathy says
I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean. I’ve searched my recipe for any typo of “Breen Chilis” but I’m not seeing it. I obviously mean “green chilis”.
Karen Bagge says
“For this version, we used breen chilies to add a little heat. And, while technically green chilis and “
Kathy says
Ahhh. I see it now. Found the typo. I fixed it. Thanks.
Angela P says
It was really good, but, I would specify if you add the cup of water to the bisquick or the smaller. I had to guess which water amount to add to what.