John Wayne Casserole with Bisquick
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty ground beef dinner layered with seasoned beef, peppers, onions, and a creamy cheesy sauce over a buttery biscuit crust, baked until golden and bubbling.
If you’re craving more hearty casserole dinners, try Cowboy Cornbread Casserole or Beef Enchilada Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and a buttery biscuit crust.
- Simple, everyday ingredients you can grab at any grocery store.
- Perfect for busy weeknights and just as delicious the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need

- 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
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARE THE BISCUIT LAYER


STEP ONE – Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
STEP TWO – In a large bowl, combine water and biscuit mix. Give it one minute to sit and thicken up a little.
STEP THREE- Spread the biscuit dough into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch casserole dish.


STEP FOUR – 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 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water).
Spread the meat mixture on top of the biscuit layer.
STEP FIVE – Drain the canned tomatoes, then spread the tomatoes on top of the ground beef.
STEP SIX – 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.
STEP SEVEN – In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Spread on top of the beef mixture.
STEP EIGHT – Top with remaining cheese and bake in 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Let rest five minutes before serving.

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.
John Wayne Casserole with Bisquick
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty ground beef dinner layered with seasoned beef, peppers, onions, and a creamy cheesy sauce over a buttery biscuit crust, baked until golden and bubbling and ready to feed a hungry family.
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
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, combine water and biscuit crust. Give it one minute to sit and thicken up a little.
- Spread the biscuit dough into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch 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 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water). Spread the meat mixture on top of the biscuit layer.
-
Drain the canned tomatoes and spread the tomatoes on top of the ground beef.
-
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.
-
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Spread on top of the beef mixture.
- 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







Totally love this casserole. So delicious. Thanks for sharing
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!
You’re welcome Kate! I hop you enjoy this casserole recipe 🙂
This has comfort food written all over it and it did not disappoint! Thank you so much for this yummy recipe!
You’re so welcome! Enjoy!!
So many delicious flavors in one recipe! …and it’s the perfect size for a crowd. Yum!
This looks so good! I love a good casserole for a quick weeknight family meal! This might be my new go-to!
Another amazing weeknight casserole from Shesnotcookin! So easy for leftovers and we loved the Bisquick layer!! Who can resist a John Wayne casserole!
This is such a tasty, easy casserole to make, and that creamy, cheesy topping makes it SOOOO good! Another winner dinner!
Thanks so much Eliza! Enjoy 🙂
I wonder what this would be like if you replaced the sauce with Manwich sauce. Maybe add some corn.
I haven’t tried that but it sounds delicious!
My husband made your casserole while he was off of work due to a stroke. He had to be off for one year due to the fact he is a truck driver. I put Pintrest on his phone and he started checking out recipes because he got tired of eating the same things all the time and we have a lot of picky people in my household. I would come home from work and dinner would always be ready or almost done. This meal was so good I swiped it off of his Pintrest page.
Thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this casserole! Thanks so much for sharing your story and take care!
I have made it twice now and it’s perfect. My family can’t make one complaint about anything in this casserole, they truly love it that much!
That’s so great to hear! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback 🙂
Made this recipe for my 22 yr old daughter. This was the only school food she liked when she was there. She said it was spot on and made her feel like a kid again. I did half the recipe since it’s just the two of us and it was perfect for us for two dinners!
That’s fantastic! So happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!
Can I substitute the green pepper and diced tomatoes with 20 of rotel? Close enough, right?
Yes, that should work 🙂
This was very good. I didn’t have diced tomatoes but I did have chunky medium salsa and it came out delicious.