John Wayne Casserole – Cheesy, Easy, & Loaded with Flavor

Name: John Wayne Casserole – Cheesy, Easy, & Loaded with Flavor
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Casserole
Ingredients: 2 cups Biscuit Baking Mix; 1 cup Water; 1 tbsp. Olive Oil; 1 Green Pepper, dcied; 1/2 Onion, diced; 1 pound Ground Beef; 2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning; 1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies; 1/2 cup Sour Cream; 1/2 cup Mayonnaise; 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Published: Apr 9, 2025 · By: Brendan Cunningham

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This easy John Wayne Casserole layers a buttery biscuit crust with taco-seasoned beef, peppers, and a creamy, cheesy topping. Ready in 35 minutes, it’s a recipe I make for my family time and time again, and it's always a hit!

Table of Contents

What Is John Wayne Casserole?

Ok, so first off, you may be wondering why this recipe is called John Wayne casserole. Well, the initial version of the recipe was created by John Wayne himself. He actually shared it in a cookbook back in the '70s called "Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends."

Since then, there have been several takes on the casserole, and this is mine. I'd like to think that this is an elevated - and even more delicious - version of the cheesy casserole Wayne shared all of those years ago.

I mean, this recipe is just jam-packed with flavor. It starts off with a buttery biscuit layer, followed by a layer of spiced taco meat and veggies, and then all of that deliciousness gets topped off with some creamy, melty cheese. It's almost like a taco casserole, but I think it's so much better.

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 combine. Spread the biscuit batter evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Cook the veggies and beef

Pour the olive oil into a large skillet and cook 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 in the seasoning.

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 and sprinkle more shredded cheese on it.

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

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 like sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or even a side of salsa. These extras can enhance the flavor and make the dish even more satisfying.

How To Store and Reheat This Casserole

In the fridge: You can either cover the casserole dish or transfer everything to an airtight container, and it will remain fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

In the freezer: If you want to store this Bisquick beef casserole to last even longer, you can freeze it. Just transfer it to an airtight container, and it'll stay good in there for up to 6 months.

Reheating: To the casserole just put it back in the oven at 350°F and heat it for about 10 minutes or until the casserole is fully warmed through.

Alternatively, you can reheat single portions of your casserole in the microwave in 20-second increments until the cheese has melted and it reaches your desired temperature.

John Wayne Casserole Recipe FAQS

What is the story behind the John Wayne casserole?

Marion Robert Morrison, known as John Wayne, was an American actor in a number of popular television shows and movies. The casserole was created by him and was featured in Cara Connery's cookbook in 1979, "Cooking With Love From Cara and Her Friends." The casserole has since been adapted, and there are multiple versions of it that exist today.

What was in the original casserole?

The original John Wayne casserole was made with biscuit dough, chopped onions, red bell peppers, jalapenos, ground beef, and tomatoes covered in a creamy topping made from mayonnaise, sour cream, taco seasoning, and cheddar cheese.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time. Just make it following the first 4 steps I listed above, then cover it with a lid and store it in the fridge for a day or so. When you want to cook it, just pop it in the oven and bake it following my instructions in step 5.

Can I use something other than Bisquick for the crust?

Yes! If you’re out of Bisquick, cornbread mix works great and adds a slightly sweet twist. Crescent roll dough is another easy swap, and you can even use crushed tortilla chips or tater tots as a base. Just make sure whatever you use can hold up to all the toppings!

More Casserole Recipes To Try Next

Yield: 6 servings