John Wayne Casserole Recipe

Casseroles make some of the best meals. They always satisfy and are usually super easy to throw together. Try out some of my other favorites like this crowd-pleasing Sloppy Joe Casserole, this family-favorite Cheeseburger Casserole and this delicious Philly Cheesesteak Casserole.

What is a John Wayne Casserole?

As for the origin of this deliciousness, the recipe was first published in a 1979 cookbook, “Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends,” a collection of different celebrities’ favorite dishes. John Wayne’s actual recipe was made with eggs and cheese. Over the years, it has evolved to become more of a southwestern-inspired dish with different ingredients like biscuits, onions, bell peppers and seasoned beef. It makes such a great family meal with all of the wonderful textures from the biscuit crust and beefy layer to the creamy cheesiness! We love to enjoy it with roasted tomato salsa and/or this classic guacamole with tortilla chips.

What’s in John Wayne Casserole

Using simple ingredients, this casserole is hearty and makes 12 servings, so it’s great for feeding a crowd! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Grands Biscuits: The dough from a can of biscuits is pressed into the pan to serve as the buttery, fluffy crust. So good! Meat: I like to use lean ground beef, but you can really use any ground meat, from ground turkey to ground chicken. Onion: Sautéed with the beef, diced onion will add savoriness and depth of flavor. Bell Pepper: Use any color for heartiness and flavor. Taco Seasoning: 1 packet of taco seasoning is mixed in with the meat to give this dish great Tex-Mex flavor. If you want to make your own, try my tasty homemade version. Green Chiles: Adds a subtle spice and smokiness. Rotel: This is a combination of diced tomatoes and green chiles, which adds a nice little kick of flavor to any recipe. Sour Cream: Has a milky, rich taste with a slight acidic tang. Mayonnaise: Mixed with the sour cream to balance the tang for the creamy layer. Cheddar Cheese: If you have the time, use freshly grated cheese. It will have the best flavor and melt more smoothly.

How to Make a John Wayne Casserole

Get ready for this to be one of your new favorite dinners! It’s so simple and incredibly delicious that you’ll find yourself making it again and again. Here’s how it all comes together:

Use Italian Sausage: Change things up by substituting 1 pound of ground beef for 1 pound of Italian sausage. This will add some extra spice and flavor to your casserole. Spice Level: This dish is fairly mild. However, if you’re sensitive to heat, be sure to use mild taco seasoning and mild Rotel. You could also use canned diced tomatoes instead of Rotel (which contains green chiles). Toppings: Serve with avocado, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and sliced olives. Adding Cheese: Adjust the cheese to your liking. I love a very cheesy casserole, but you are welcome to change the amount on top to fit your preference. You may even substitute cheddar cheese for another cheese, such as Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese.

In the Refrigerator: Place leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 45-60 seconds per serving. Make Ahead: The meat filling and cream topping can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. When you are ready to assemble the casserole, continue with step 6. Par-bake the biscuits before adding the cooked filling and continue as directed.