Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (2024)

Date: by Christian Guzman • This post may contain affiliate links. See Privacy Policy below.

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful layered dish inspired by the rugged spirit of the Old West together with a Tex-Mex influence.

This kid-friendly casserole is a delicious meal and the ultimate comfort food. It’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

  • What is Cattle Drive Casserole?
  • Variations and Add-Ins
  • Recipe
Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (1)

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What Is Cattle Drive Casserole?

Think of this as a “souped up” easy ground beef casserole recipe, or hamburger casserole. It includes zesty flavors of taco seasoning, Fiesta Blend or shredded cheddar cheese and diced green chiles. All of this, on top of a biscuit layer.

I’ve seen variations of this called Cowboy Casserole or John Wayne Casserole. It makes quite a bit so it’s perfect for family gatherings or potlucks. It’s not spicy (unless you include some of the add-ins below), so it’s perfect for the kids too.

Ingredients

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (2)

This recipe is made in layers then baked until bubbly. The ingredients are fairly common and perfect for lovers of Tex-Mex cuisine.

Biscuit Layer

Use a biscuit mix to make the biscuit layer. We use Pioneer brand but you can also use Bisquick mix. If you prefer, you can use two tubes of biscuits already made. Simply press them in well before the initial baking.

Ground Beef Layer

The ground beef layer is made with onion, bell pepper and packet taco seasoning for flavor. Use ground turkey for a lighter version.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (3)

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Sour Cream Mixture

The sour cream layer is flavored with cheese and green chiles. A little bit of mild salsa is added to the top for extra flavor and color.

More Cheese

End with a nice layer of shredded cheese because there’s nothing better than a cheesy casserole.

Variations and Add-Ins

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (4)

The beauty of a casserole like this is that you could use all your favorite add-ins. Think of everything you love in a burrito and you can be enjoying a hearty meal to mimic your favorite burrito or taco in no time.

Making It Spicy

This casserole isn’t spicy, but you can make it spicy, if you like. Add chopped jalapenos when you’re adding the onions and bell pepper to the ground beef. Or, layer some pickled jalapenos on top of the sour cream layer or on the very top. Use spicy salsa instead of mild.

I prefer to spice things up individually too, on the plate. My personal favorite is Rooster sauce, sriracha. Or, maybe sprinkle on some cayenne or ground jalapeno.

Other Add-Ins

Try adding frozen corn kernels to the ground beef layer. You could also add some cooked pinto beans or about one cup cooked rice.

Crush some Fritos corn chips on top of the ground beef layer, before adding the sour cream mixture.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (6)

More Recipes You May Like

If you like this recipe, I’m sure you’ll like these as well.

  • Pork Tamale Casserole
  • Mexican Stuffed Shells
  • Sour Cream Enchiladas (Tacos de Jocoqui)
  • Green Chicken Enchiladas

Recipe

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (7)

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (8)

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Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

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4.87 from 53 votes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 496kcal

Author: Christian Guzman

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Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful layered dish inspired by the rugged spirit of the Old West together with a Tex-Mex influence.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (9)

For more information, be sure to check the recipe details in the attached 24Bite® post.

Equipment

  • Large skillet

  • 2 Medium mixing bowls

  • 9 x 13" casserole dish

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded, chopped
  • 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick
  • 1 cup Water
  • Cooking Spray, like Pam
  • ½ cup Sour Cream
  • ½ cup Mayonnaise
  • 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
  • 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ cup Salsa, mild

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.

  • Place ground beef in skillet. Break apart with spoon and cook on medium high until no longer pink, stirring as necessary. Drain off excess fat. (You can make the biscuit dough while the meat is cooking.)

  • Place biscuit mix and water in mixing bowl. Stir together. This is best done with your hands to get it thoroughly mixed. Spray casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough into it, filling all the way out to the edges. Place in preheated oven and bake for 5-8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Set aside. Do not turn off oven.

  • Add chopped onions and red bell pepper to ground beef. Stir and continue cooking about 4 minutes. Add taco seasoning mix, stir well to coat. Remove from stove.

  • Add the ground beef mixture on top of the biscuit layer and spread evenly all the way to the edges.

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese and garlic powder. Mix well. Carefully spread sour cream mixture as a layer on top of the ground beef mixture.

  • Add small spoonfuls of salsa intermittently over the top of the sour cream layer. No need to spread it thin. Add the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.

  • Place in preheated oven, uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes until warm and bubbly.

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Notes

If you let it cool a little, it will be easier for it to hold its shape when serving.

For variations and add-ins, see the post above.

Serve with avocado slices, side salad or pico de gallo.

Nutrition Facts

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 496Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g38%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Sodium 2892mg126%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 26g52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Fusion

Keyword cowboy casserole, john wayne casserole

______________________

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.

© 2019-2024 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved. Subscribe to 24Bite email newsletters.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maggie says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (11)
    Delicious looking casserole! I just bought some green chiles. I think I know what I’m making with it. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  2. Gwynn Galvin says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (12)
    My family loved this recipe. Great flavor and so easy to make too!

    Reply

  3. Luke Ratford says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (13)
    A great midweek meal full of superb flavours, the kids loved this recipe 🙂

    Reply

  4. Ann says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (14)
    This is a great casserole recipe! An easy meal to make for busy weeknights. Thanks for the recipe share!

    Reply

  5. Cathleen says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (15)
    This casserole looks exactly like something my entire family will love!! I am saving this for when they visit on Wednesday. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  6. Amy Liu Dong says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (16)
    Oh my gosh! Such a mouthwatering dish to make. Seeing this makes me really hungry, yum!

    Reply

  7. Jamie says

    Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (17)
    Wow! This casserole dish looks amazingly delicious! The presentation makes it so enticing and very appealing! I just love the juiciness of this recipe!

    Reply

  8. Liz says

    Can you do this in an 8×8 pan instead?

    Reply

    • Christian Guzman says

      I think this will be pretty versatile for you. At the number of servings portions of the recipe, change it to 6 servings and round up those portions of the ingredients. I’ve never tried it, but it’s what I would try. Good luck and thank you for writing!

      Reply

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Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cowboy casserole made of? ›

Even so, there are four ingredients that you will find in almost every recipe for Cowboy Casserole: ground beef, corn, shredded cheese, and Tater Tots. Without all of these elements, while we're sure your casserole is going to be stick-to-your-bones delicious, it won't be a Cowboy Casserole.

Why is it called a John Wayne casserole? ›

In her pitch, she asked the stars to provide the recipe for their favorite dish. Wayne offered a simple concoction of egg souffle, cheese, green chiles, and tomatoes. His basic recipe became known as John Wayne Casserole, and it's now adored as a breakfast classic in many households.

What are the four components to a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What binds a casserole together? ›

The key to a good casserole is the sauce or broth that binds those ingredients together as they bubble in the oven, allowing the flavors to meld together into a harmonious, comforting meal. This can be something as simple as the McCormick Brown Gravy Mix used in this tasty Hamburger Casserole dish.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What is in Central Market Cowboy casserole? ›

This chicken dish comes fully loaded! Enjoy rotini pasta combined with a creamy chicken base, sliced chicken breast, crispy bacon, roasted poblano peppers, rotel tomatoes, corn topped with a gruyere fried onion topping.

What is Jackie Kennedy casserole? ›

A seemingly simple, tender noodle dish with plenty of cheesy, tangy flavor, and the refreshing garden sharpness of chives, Jackie Kennedy's Special Casserole is delicate and hearty at the same time, heartwarmingly homemade yet delightfully classic.

What do Minnesotans call casseroles? ›

Hotdish is common terminology in western Wisconsin and Minnesota, while casserole is the preferred name everywhere else in the country.

What is the most popular casserole dish size? ›

"The standard size of a casserole dish is 9 by 13 inches. However, due to varying shapes, they are often measured by volume, with three quarts being average,” says Contrino. “It is important to note that if a recipe calls only for a casserole dish, it is most likely asking for a 9- by 13-inch rectangular size.

Do you have to brown meat before making a casserole? ›

You don't have to brown the meat, but you should do it anyway. However, you don't have to brown all of the meat. Browning is done to fully develop the meaty flavours, and if you put too much meat into the pan it will release too much moisture and not brown at all.

What serves as a binder in casseroles? ›

A perfect casserole needs one or more binders: cheese, eggs, condensed soup, Greek yogurt or noodles, for example. Next up are good seasonings; you need herbs and spices to make it all sing.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

What does mayonnaise do in a casserole? ›

Mayo Is The Glue That Holds A Casserole Together

It's basically food glue that also provides other added benefits. Think of it as a culinary adhesive that offers more than just stickiness. Additionally, mayonnaise enhances the juiciness of dishes without making them overly moist.

What goes first in a casserole? ›

Meat know how

If you coat it too early, the moisture in the meat absorbs the flour and spoils the texture of the casserole. Begin by browning the meat or chicken, separately, before adding vegetables, liquids and herbs. This seals in the juices and adds flavour.

What is the hairline crack in a casserole dish? ›

What if my Ceramic Dish is Cracked? The condition of a piece of ceramic can also influence its suitability for the oven. If your dish has a hairline crack, or a large chip, moisture could penetrate the clay and affect the structural stability of the ceramic when it expands under high heat.

What is cowboy stew made of? ›

In a stock pot or Dutch oven, combine the ground beef, tomatoes, corn, green beans, red beans, and onion. Season with oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for at least 50 minutes over medium to low heat. The longer it cooks, the better it gets!

What is King Ranch casserole made of? ›

King Ranch chicken is a Tex-Mex casserole with unknown origins, though it's assumed the dish is named after King Ranch, Texas. The casserole consists of pulled chicken, canned soup, green chiles, corn tortillas, sour cream, veggies, and lots of cheese.

What are casserole dishes made of? ›

“A casserole dish and a baking dish are the same thing, an oven-safe piece of cookware, usually made of ceramic, porcelain, or glass,” says Anthony Contrino, Emmy-awarded culinary producer and food stylist. "They can come in various shapes, with the most common being rectangular, oval, or square.

What is a cowboy dinner? ›

Cowboy dinner is a hearty casserole of flavorful beef, corn and beans topped with soft, fluffy cornbread and a layer of cheese. So delicious! This easy, comfort food casserole has been a family favorite for over 20 years! After that long, you know the recipe has to be a keeper!

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