Name: Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef; 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 Yellow Onion, chopped; 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix; 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (like Bisquick); 1 cup Water; Cooking Spray (like Pam); ½ cup Sour Cream; ½ cup Mayonnaise; 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained; 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; ½ cup Mild Salsa

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Introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners. Combining seasoned ground beef, a biscuit crust, and creamy layers, it’s a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

A close-up view of a greasy lasagna in a clear glass baking dish on a white marbled surface. The lasagna has three visible layers: a bottom thick layer of browned minced meat, a middle creamy white cheese layer, and a top layer of melted golden-yellow and white cheese that is bubbling and stretchy as a slice is lifted. The top is sprinkled with small green herbs, and the melted cheese is dripping down from the lifted slice, showing its gooey texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1.5 pounds lean ground beef
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 ounce taco seasoning mix
2 ½ cups biscuit mix (such as Bisquick)
1 cup water
Cooking spray (such as Pam)
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
4 ounces diced green chiles, drained
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, Fiesta blend shredded, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup mild salsa

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain excess fat.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well mixed, using your hands for thorough blending if possible.
Step 4: Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Press the biscuit dough into the dish evenly, reaching the edges.
Step 5: Bake the biscuit layer in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes, until set and lightly golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
Step 6: Add chopped onions and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef. Cook and stir for about 4 minutes. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.
Step 7: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer.
Step 8: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth.
Step 9: Spread the sour cream mixture carefully over the ground beef layer.
Step 10: Spoon small dollops of salsa over the sour cream layer without spreading.
Step 11: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
Step 12: Bake the assembled casserole in the oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Tips & Variations

For extra spice, use a medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
Substitute the cheddar Fiesta blend with your favorite shredded cheese blend like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack.
Add a layer of black beans or corn with the beef mixture for more texture and flavor.
If you prefer a thicker crust, increase the biscuit mix slightly or press the dough more firmly.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm or reheat the entire casserole covered with foil in a 350℉ oven for 15-20 minutes. Avoid freezing to preserve the biscuit texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a thick slice of layered casserole with four layers. The bottom layer is creamy and cheesy with a soft texture. The second layer is crumbly cooked ground beef in a brown color. The third layer repeats the creamy cheese mix similar to the first. The top layer is melted bright yellow cheddar cheese with some green herb pieces scattered on top and small bits of cooked bacon. Cheese strands stretch from the top showing it is hot and gooey. The dish is served on a dark plate with a white marbled surface under it, and there is no visible hand in the picture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to the baking step and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.

Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of biscuit mix?

Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works well and can add extra flavor. Just press it into the dish and partially bake before adding the layers as instructed.