This easy John Wayne casserole is the kind of dinner that disappears fast. It layers a buttery biscuit crust with taco-seasoned ground beef, peppers, and a creamy, cheesy topping that bakes up hot and bubbly. It’s ready in about 35 minutes, totally family-friendly, and one of those reliable casseroles I make on repeat because everyone loves it.
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What Is John Wayne Casserole?
John Wayne casserole is a hearty, layered Southwestern-style casserole that became famous because a version of it was published in a 1979 fundraiser cookbook called Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends, compiled by Cara Connery. John Wayne contributed a recipe to that book, but the casserole most people make today is a more “loaded” evolution that was later popularized in large part by the University of Mississippi Medical Center cafeteria.
Since then, home cooks have put their own spin on it, and this version is mine. It keeps the classic layered idea and leans into what makes the modern John Wayne casserole so craveable: a buttery biscuit base, taco-seasoned beef and veggies, and a creamy, melty cheese topping that bakes up bubbly and golden. It’s kind of like a taco casserole, but richer, cheesier, and way more satisfying in that scoop-and-serve, crowd-pleasing way. Everyone I've ever served this to absolutely loves it. Don't take it from just me, though. Here's what one of our readers had to say about it after he made it:
You won't find a better casserole than this one. It wasn't too hard to make and has a flavor combination I have yet to discover in any other recipe. Truly incredible recipe right here. -Greg
Ingredients Needed
- 2 cups Biscuit Baking Mix
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 Green Pepper, diced
- ½ Onion, diced
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning
- 1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
By the way, you can use a lot of these same ingredients to make this Johnny Marzetti casserole and Doritos casserole next! So, if you end up having some extras, I definitely recommend giving those easy casserole recipes a shot too.
How To Make John Wayne Casserole
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC) and grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the biscuit crust
In a bowl, mix the biscuit baking mix with the water until they fully combined. Spread the biscuit batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Cook the veggies and beef
Pour the olive oil into a large skillet and cook the onions and peppers for about 10 minutes, until they're soft. Add the ground beef and break it apart as you cook it until it's browned on all sides. Add the taco seasoning with a splash of water to the pan and stir to coat the browned ground beef, onions, and peppers.
Step 4: Assemble the casserole
Spread the ground meat mixture over the biscuit crust, and top it with diced tomatoes and green chiles. Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheddar cheese in a bowl. Top the casserole with the sour cream mixture, then sprinkle more shredded cheese on top.
Step 5: Bake and Serve
Bake the casserole for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Let it cool for a minute, serve warm, and enjoy!
What To Serve With John Wayne Casserole
This casserole is super hearty on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, here are a few sides that pair perfectly:
- Simple green salad – something crisp and refreshing to balance all that cheesy goodness.
- Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice – keeps with the Tex-Mex theme and makes it even more filling. My favorite is Mexican rice.
- Cornbread or garlic bread – no such thing as too many carbs, right? Make air fryer garlic bread for a side dish you can make while the casserole is cooking.
- Steamed broccoli or green beans – if you want to make the meal a little healthier, make some veggies.
If you're feeding a crowd, you can't go wrong with chips and salsa or even guac!
Expert Tips To Make The Best John Wayne Casserole
- Add some heat: If you like a bit of spice, don’t hesitate to add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture. This gives the casserole an extra kick without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Swap the protein: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or make it vegetarian by subbing in black beans or pinto beans.
- The more cheese, the better: Use a mix of cheeses for the best flavor. Sharp cheddar is a classic choice, but adding some pepper jack or Monterey jack cheese can add another dimension of cheesy flavor. You can even grate your own cheese if possible. I love grating my own cheese for a fresher flavor since pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting.
- Customize your veggies: Feel free to customize the vegetables in this beef casserole based on your preferences. Adding mushrooms, corn, or even black beans can bring additional texture and flavor to the dish.
- Let the casserole rest: Once baked, let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to slice and serve without falling apart.
- Make it ahead: This is the perfect make-ahead casserole. You can assemble the casserole a day in advance, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven and baking as directed above.
- Serve with some toppings: Consider serving your casserole with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or a side of salsa. These extras can enhance the flavor and make the dish even more satisfying.
John Wayne Casserole Recipe FAQS
What is the story behind John Wayne casserole?
John Wayne casserole is commonly traced back to a celebrity fundraiser cookbook published in 1979 called Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends by Cara Connery, where John Wayne’s recipe helped popularize the dish. Over time, home cooks adapted it into the version most people know today, with a biscuit-style crust, taco-seasoned beef, peppers, tomatoes, and a creamy cheese topping.
What was in the original John Wayne casserole?
The earliest widely cited version from that cookbook is described as a layered casserole that included ingredients like biscuits, beef, onions, peppers (and often jalapeños), tomatoes, and a creamy topping built from mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning, and cheddar. Modern versions vary a lot, but they usually stick to that same “Southwest casserole with a creamy cheese layer” idea.
Can I make John Wayne casserole ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble it ahead, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you bake it from cold, plan to add a few extra minutes so the center heats through. If you want the best crust texture, you can also prep the beef mixture and creamy topping ahead, then assemble right before baking.
Can I freeze John Wayne casserole?
Yes, it freezes well. Let it cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake covered until hot, uncovering at the end to re-melt and lightly brown the top. The crust can soften slightly after freezing, but the flavor holds up great.
Can I use something other than Bisquick for the crust?
Definitely. Cornbread mix works well if you want a slightly sweeter base. Crescent roll dough is another easy option for a softer, buttery crust. You can also use refrigerated biscuit dough if you want a more classic “biscuit bake” style. The main goal is using a sturdy base that can hold the beef layer and creamy topping.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes, and it’s an easy swap. Ground turkey or chicken works great, just make sure you season it well and cook off excess moisture so the casserole doesn’t turn watery. A little extra taco seasoning or a pinch of salt usually helps lean meat taste just as bold.
Why is my John Wayne casserole soggy?
Soggy casserole usually comes from excess moisture in the filling. Drain grease from the beef; do not add watery tomatoes without draining, and avoid overloading with wet toppings. Another big one is underbaking, so make sure the center is hot and bubbling before pulling it from the oven. Letting it rest for 10 minutes before slicing also helps it set.
Is John Wayne casserole spicy?
It can be, but it depends on your taco seasoning, peppers, and whether you add jalapeños or hot Rotel. For mild, use mild taco seasoning and skip jalapeños. For spicy, use hot taco seasoning, add jalapeños, or stir in a few tablespoons of green chilies.
More Casserole Recipes To Try Next
- Million dollar chicken casserole
- Cheddars broccoli cheese casserole
- Chicken divan
- Ground turkey casserole
- Crack chicken casserole
- Corn casserole
- Chicken enchilada casserole
John Wayne Casserole
This easy John Wayne casserole is the kind of dinner that disappears fast. It layers a buttery biscuit crust with taco-seasoned ground beef, peppers, and a creamy, cheesy topping that bakes up hot and bubbly. It’s ready in about 35 minutes, totally family-friendly, and one of those reliable casseroles I make on repeat because everyone loves it.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Biscuit Baking Mix
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 Green Pepper, dcied
- ½ Onion, diced
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning
- 1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC).
- Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Mix the biscuit baking mix with water and spread in the bottom of the baking dish.
- In a skillet, add olive oil and cook onions and peppers until soft - about 10 minutes. Add the beef and cook until browned. Add the taco seasoning and stir to combine.
- Spread the meat over the biscuit mix, and top with diced tomatoes.
- In a bowl combine sour cream, mayonnaise and cheddar cheese.
- Top the casserole with the cheese mixture and bake for 25 minutes, or until bubbly.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 440Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 21g
Gabe
Great stuff love his recipes
Gloria
my family uses Famous Dave's Cornbread in place of the bisquick biscuit. It is the most addicting casserole ever!!!
Jen
Your not wrong about that
Lauren
One of the best casseroles that I have.
BryzDu
When using the name of John Wayne … it seems like there should be a requirement to write like a man (i.e., fewer, more meaningful, and masculine words — not full of flowery redundancies). I thought my eyes were gonna start bleeding there for a minute. Obey … or surrender what’s left of your “Man Card”, Brendan 🙂
Judy Shea
This was great
Thanks for the recipe
Brendan Cunningham
We're so happy you liked it!
Nancy
What size can of rotel please?
Brendan Cunningham
A 10 oz. can
Gloria
For the base we use Famous Dave's Corn Bread in place of the biscuit.
This casserole is so addicting!!!❤❤❤
Brendan Cunningham
That sounds great! We're so glad you like it!!
Johnny
This was hands down the best casserole I have ever made.
Elaine Keenan
I'm making it for my oldest son for Thanksgiving dinner I just saw the recipe so I'm going to surprise him with it we're all Big John Wayne fans and always have been and I knew that he'll love it. So Happy Thanksgiving to you and thank you for the recipe. God bless and be safe.
Brendan Cunningham
That's great!! We hope you like the recipe and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Rebekah L. Rotondo
What size baking dish?
Brendan Cunningham
A 9x13-inch works great!
Angelica
The entire casserole was truly excellent and we are looking forward to the next time we have it.
Mellisa
My husband is allergic to sour cream can I not use the sour cream or substitute something for it? Thank you!
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Mellisa! Yes, 3 oz. of softened cream cheese should work great
Maureen
Is the biscuit mixture bisque k? Pls reply.
Brendan Cunningham
Yes!
Michael Tobias
Getting ready to make this recipe and excited about it, however, we don’t care for the Rotel tomatoes with chilies. If I use the same amount of just diced tomatoes, should I drain the juice from the can? Thanks
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Michael, yes that should work great!
Pam
Since I'm allergic to tomatoes I made it with drained peas and it went over really good. The kids and I loved it.
Brendan Cunningham
Great substitution! We're so glad everyone liked it!
Judy Ellinger
The casserole was top notch. Whole family loved it and we're making it again next week.
Tammy Burns
My husband and kids devoured this. They thought it was the tastiest casserole they have ever tried.! I was a popular cook last night!!
Max
Wildly delicious I could have this for dinner every night!
Pamela Dawson
Thank you John Wayne for somehow making this casserole a thing. It was wonderful. My husband won't stop talking about it. Making this again for sure!!!
Amber
So happy to have come across this casserole. Delicious!!!
Pam Lyons
I wasn't sure about this but it turned out soooo good!!!
Shane
No joke the best casserole recipe that I have ever tried.
James
This casserole has it all.
Olivia F
The layers in this casserole are a delight. Thanks for the great recipe!
Liam Farkas
Tasted as good as it looks.
Greg Dorsett
You won't find a better casserole than this one. It wasn't too hard to make and has a flavor combination I have yet to discover in any other recipe. Truly incredible recipe right here.
Olivia
What size baking dish does this recipe call for? I couldn't find it.
Thanks!
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Olivia! I used a 9x13-inch dish