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    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner Recipes

    John Wayne Casserole with Bisquick

    Feb 2, 2023 by Sandra Flegg

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    This easy casserole recipe is filled with layers of ground beef with taco seasoning, green peppers, onions and a sour-cream based cheesy sauce, topped with cheddar cheese.The layers sit on top of a delicious biscuit crust. John Wayne Casserole is a sensational recipe and exactly what you need for a busy weeknight dinner.

    If you love this recipe, try our Cowboy Cornbread Casserole next!

    Serving of John Wayne casserole on a white plate with a fork. this recipe!
    Jump to:
    • Why we love John Wayne Casserole
    • Try these easy casserole recipes next!
    • What is John Wayne Casserole
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Step by step instructions - How to make John Wayne Casserole
    • What to serve with cowboy casserole
    • Storage instructions
    • Reheating instructions
    • Can you freeze John Wayne Casserole?
    • More Casserole Recipes to Enjoy
    • John Wayne Casserole with Bisquick
    • Comments

    Why we love John Wayne Casserole

    • satisfying comfort food that the whole family enjoys, and it's delicious leftover too!
    • simple ingredients that can be found in the local grocery store.
    • like my Dorito Chicken Casserole recipe, it's perfect for a busy weeknight. What weeknight isn't busy right? I know you're thinking that and I feel ya!

    Try these easy casserole recipes next!

    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

    Philly Cheesteak Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe

    Old-Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole

    Taco Spaghetti

    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    What is John Wayne Casserole

    The original version and history of this casserole was created by John Wayne! John Wayne contributed the recipe to a cookbook titled, “Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends”, compiled by a Cara Connery. I've adapted this recipe from the orginal and I will suggest some variations, however it is delicious as written in the original format.

    I must digress for a moment and age myself as I fondly recall rainy Sunday afternoons as a young girl watching John Wayne movies with my Dad. Anyone else old enough to relate?

    If you love casserole recipes, then you've gotta try my Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Next. It has a similar biscuit crust but the other flavors are completely different and delicious!

    If you prefer a classic, old-fashioned casserole recipe, try my old-school tuna noodle casserole recipe with potato chips!

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Labelled ingredients for John Wayne casserole with Bisquick recipe.
    • Ground Beef - you can also substitute ground turkey for the ground beef.
    • Taco seasoning - use the packaged taco seasoning that you find in the grocery store or, if you make a lot of taco recipes, try my homemade taco seasoning recipe and use 2 to 3 Tablespoons for this recipe. It's great to have on hand and keeps for six months.
    • Sour cream - full fat sour cream is delicious in this recipe or you can use light or reduced-fat sour cream.
    • Mayonnaise - use your favorite brand.
    • Sharp cheddar cheese - we like sharp cheddar or you can use mild, medium cheddar, pepper jack cheese or Monterey Jack cheese. Or a combination of those or whatever you have in the fridge!
    • Green bell peppers - or substitute with yellow, orange or red bell peppers.
    • Onion - I use yellow cooking onions. Sweet Vidalia onions are a great second choice.
    • Bisquick mix
    • Canned tomatoes - you can sub in two to three small sliced tomatoes for the canned tomatoes.
    • Can of green chiles

    Step by step instructions - How to make John Wayne Casserole

    You can find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this page with a detailed ingredients list and instructions. I've included a few photos below with some visual photos to help you along the way with this cheesy casserole recipe.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

    Bisquick and wtaer in mixing bowl with spoon.

    PREPARE THE BISCUIT LAYER

    Let's get started with this biscuit casserole and start with the biscuit crust.

    In a large bowl, combine water and biscuit mix. Give it one minute to sit and thicken up a little.

    Bisquick dough mixture spread in the bottom ox 9x13-inch baking dish.

    Spread the biscuit dough into the bottom of the prepared 9x13-inch casserole dish.

    Ground beef mixture with peppers, onions, chilis and tomatoes are spread on top of biscuit layer in casserole dish.

    In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Stir in taco seasoning and add water according to directions on taco seasoning. (usually ¼ to ½ cup of water).

    Spread the meat mixture on top of the biscuit layer.

    Drain the canned tomatoes, then spread the tomatoes on top of the ground beef.

    In the same skillet, cook the green pepper and sliced onions until softened over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the tomatoes and ground beef mixture, followed by the can of green chiles.

    In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise and ½ of the shredded cheese. Spread on top of the beef mixture.

    Sour cream mixture and grated cheese sprinkled on top of ground beef mixture in casserole dish.

    Top with remaining cheese and bake in 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Let rest five minutes before serving.

    Baked John Wayne casserole in a baking dish sitting on a wooden board.

    What to serve with cowboy casserole

    If you're serving a crowd and looking for easy side dishes to serve with John Wayne Casserole, then try these easy side dishes:

    Paula Deen's Corn Casserole with Cheese

    Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

    Green Bean Casserole with Sour Cream

    Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

    And for dessert, how about Laura Bushs's award-winning Cowboy Cookies! Sign me up!!

    Helping of John Wayne casserole on a white plate.

    Storage instructions

    Cool casserole, then wrap casserole dish with plastic wrap, or carefuly transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days.

    Reheating instructions

    Reheat leftover casserole by cooking in 350°F oven until heated through. This should take about 20 minutes. Individual portions can be reheat in the microwave for one to two minutes.

    Can you freeze John Wayne Casserole?

    Yes! This casserole freezes and reheats well. Cook casserole completely, then cool. Wap entire casserole dish in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator, then reheat in 350°F oven until heated though.

    More Casserole Recipes to Enjoy

    • Mexican Doritos chicken casserole on a white plate.
      Dorito Chicken Casserole Recipe
    • Cheesy taco pasta on white plate with fork.
      Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake
    • Baked Ziti with Meatballs
    • Walking taco casserole in a blue casserole dish.
      Taco Casserole with Fritos

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    Print
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    John Wayne casserole on a white plate.

    John Wayne Casserole with Bisquick


    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This easy casserole recipe is filled with layers of ground beef with taco seasoning, green peppers, onions and a sour-cream based cheesy sauce topped with cheddar. The layers sit on top of a delicious biscuit crust. John Wayne Casserole is a great recipe and exactly what you need for a busy weeknight dinner.


    Ingredients

    2 cups Bisquick baking mix (mixed with 1 cup water)

    2 pounds ground beef

    1 packet taco seasoning

    1 green pepper, diced

    1 small onion, sliced

    20 ounces diced canned tomatoes, drained

    1 can (4 ounces) green chiles

    ½ cup sour cream

    ½ cup mayonnaise

    8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. 
    2. In a large bowl, combine water and biscuit crust. Give it one minute to sit and thicken up a little. 
    3. Spread the biscuit dough into the bottom of the prepared 9x13-inch casserole dish.
    4. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Stir in taco seasoning and add water according to directions on taco seasoning. (usually ¼ to ½ cup of water). Spread the meat mixture on top of the biscuit layer. 

    5. Drain the canned tomatoes and spread the tomatoes on top of the ground beef. 

    6. In the same skillet, cook the green pepper and sliced onions until softened - about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on top of tomatoes and ground beef mixture, followed by the can of green chiles. 

    7. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise and ½ of the shredded cheese. Spread on top of the beef mixture.

    8. Top with remaining cheese and bake in 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Let rest five minutes before serving. 

    Notes

    Storage Instructions: Cool casserole, then wrap casserole dish with plastic wrap, or carefuly transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days. 

    Reheating Instructions: Reheat leftover casserole by cooking in 350°F oven until heated through. This should take about 20 minutes. 

    Freezing Instructions: This casserole freezes and reheats well. Cook casserole completely, then cool. Wap entire casserole dish in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator, then reheat in 350°F oven until heated though. 

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Oven Baked
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 generous helping
    • Calories: 722
    • Sugar: 13.3 g
    • Sodium: 1293.3 mg
    • Fat: 35.4 g
    • Saturated Fat: 13.6 g
    • Trans Fat: 0.7 g
    • Carbohydrates: 49.5 g
    • Fiber: 3.2 g
    • Protein: 49.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 143.3 mg

    Keywords: John Wayne Casserole

    If you've made this recipe, please come back and leave us a star rating and comment below. Or, tag us on social media @shesnotcookin or #shesnotcookin for a chance to be featured!

    « Dorito Chicken Casserole Recipe
    Cake Mix Blueberry Muffins »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Kushigalu

      February 03, 2023 at 10:47 am

      Totally love this casserole. So delicious. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    2. Kate

      February 03, 2023 at 11:31 am

      This is a blast from the past! I remember having it when I was little. I can't wait to make it for my kids. Thanks for the recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sandra Flegg

        February 03, 2023 at 12:43 pm

        You're welcome Kate! I hop you enjoy this casserole recipe 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ned

      February 03, 2023 at 12:02 pm

      This has comfort food written all over it and it did not disappoint! Thank you so much for this yummy recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sandra Flegg

        February 03, 2023 at 12:43 pm

        You're so welcome! Enjoy!!

        Reply
    4. Shelby

      February 03, 2023 at 12:15 pm

      So many delicious flavors in one recipe! ...and it's the perfect size for a crowd. Yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Kerri

      February 03, 2023 at 12:23 pm

      This looks so good! I love a good casserole for a quick weeknight family meal! This might be my new go-to!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Tim

      February 03, 2023 at 1:48 pm

      Another amazing weeknight casserole from Shesnotcookin! So easy for leftovers and we loved the Bisquick layer!! Who can resist a John Wayne casserole!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Eliza

      February 03, 2023 at 3:07 pm

      This is such a tasty, easy casserole to make, and that creamy, cheesy topping makes it SOOOO good! Another winner dinner!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sandra Flegg

        February 04, 2023 at 1:20 pm

        Thanks so much Eliza! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    8. Cg

      July 18, 2023 at 8:01 pm

      I wonder what this would be like if you replaced the sauce with Manwich sauce. Maybe add some corn.

      Reply
      • Sandra Flegg

        July 22, 2023 at 8:31 am

        I haven't tried that but it sounds delicious!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find our family's favorite recipes! More about me

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