John Wayne Casserole: a hearty comfort dish recipe from the American South

When you're in the mood for a cozy, comforting dish that will satisfy your hunger and your taste buds when you're in the mood for a hearty dish.

This Southern John Wayne casserole dish is made with mouthwatering layers of ground beef, cheese, bell peppers and onions, and chili peppers over a flakey biscuit base. John Wayne casserole is topped with a tangy sour cream and cheese sauce and baked to golden brown perfection.

It's a fantastic meal to serve when you need a simple yet delicious dish to serve a group. Enjoy it with a side salad, some roasted veggies, braised greens, or a side of grits.

Why is it Called John Wayne Casserole?

According to legend, John Wayne casserole gets its name from the fact that he's alleged to have contributed the recipe to a 1979 cookbook called Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends.

However, the recipe in that book is quite different from the modern version of John Wayne casserole that we know and love. This recipe is believed to have origins in Mississippi.

John Wayne Casserole Ingredients

This easy John Wayne casserole is savory, spicy, creamy, and hard to resist.

To make it, you'll need ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of cheese and sour cream.

Chilies give it a nice spicy kick, while taco seasoning flavors all the ingredients and gives the casserole its mouthwatering flavor.

You'll also need some Bisquick to make that irresistible biscuit base.

How to Make John Wayne Casserole

John Wayne casserole is incredibly easy to make, and it's a great dish for feeding a big family. To make homemade John Wayne casserole, start by greasing a casserole dish with cooking spray and heating your oven to 325F. Cook the beef in a skillet until all the pink is gone and it's nicely browned. Drain off the fat.

Mix in water and taco seasoning. Once it comes o a boil, stir in the peppers and onions and simmer them until they get soft. Take the skillet off the heat. Mix the Bisquick and water in a bowl to form a dough. Mold the dough along the bottom of the baking dish and about ½-inch up the sides.

Layer the beef over the dough, followed by the tomatoes, then the chilies. Whisk mayo, sour cream, and half the cheese in a small bowl, then pour it over the chilies. Garnish the casserole with the other half of the cheese. Bake your casserole for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.

Tips for Making Easy John Wayne Casserole

You can make a vegetarian John Wayne casserole by leaving out the meat and adding vegetables or a vegetarian meat substitute in place of the beef.

There are some fantastic additions you can mix into your John Wayne casserole to jazz it up. Try adding tortilla chips or corn chips for extra crunch, some cream cheese to make it ultra-creamy, or some cornbread for a heartier casserole.

For a spicier casserole, try using hot chilies like habaneros or arbol chilies.

Use shredded chicken or ground pork instead of beef for a tasty twist on the classic John Wayne casserole.

How to Store John Wayne Casserole

Once cooled, transfer your casserole to an airtight container or wrap it with cling film and place it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325F. Grease your baking dish with cooking spray.

Sauté the beef in a skillet until cooked through and brown. Drain excess fat.

Stir in the taco seasoning.

Pour in 3/4 cup of water.

Let the mixture come to a boil, then stir in onions.

Add in the peppers. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Combine Bisquick and 2/3 cup of water in a bowl.

Form a dough. Whisk mayo, sour cream, and half the cheese in a small bowl to combine.

Press the dough into the bottom of the baking dish and about ½-inch up the sides. Layer the beef over the dough.

Layer the tomatoes over the beef.

Layer the chilies over the tomatoes.

Pour the sour cream mixture evenly over the chilies.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Spread the cheese evenly.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.

Slice, serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use a 9×13-inch baking dish to make your casserole.