John Wayne Casserole

Have you tried the John Wayne casserole? A seasoned ground beef and biscuit casserole that is topped with a cream cheese topping and shredded cheese. An easy dinner you need to try!

Casseroles are so popular because of their ease of making them. Not to mention, they are affordable dinners that feed a lot. This ground beef casserole recipe is a newer favorite in our home. Also, try our taco spaghetti for a one-pot dinner! Or try our easy tater tot casserole recipe. Try out our easy chili recipe that takes just 30 minutes.

While there are different ways to make this layered hamburger casserole recipe, here is our version.

Why Is It Called The John Wayne’s Casserole

Apparently in 1979 John Wayne teamed up with Cara Connery to place this Mexican casserole in her Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends Cookbook..

This John Wayne’s Casserole Is…

Casserole Idea – A simple casserole that is layered. Biscuit bottom, seasoned meat center, cream cheese topping then lastly cheese.

Budget Friendly Dinne r – If you are needing or wanting budget friendly this dinner option is great. Pantry ingredients, quick prep, and hands off baking.

Easy Prep Work – While this John Wayne Casserole recipe has steps they are simple. In no time to you have this dish in the oven baking.

Reheats Well – If you are looking for a meal you can reheat for leftovers this is a wonderful option.

Ground Beef – Use ground beef that you chop up and season. Make sure to pull off excess grease in the pan.

Bisquick – Bisquick is used for the biscuit layer at bottom of this casserole. Fluffy, tender biscuit layer that soaks in flavor of the ground beef.

Onion – we used a sweet onion. Go ahead and reach for white of yellow onions for the recipe.

Taco Seasoning – Grab your usual taco seasoning or make up homemade taco seasoning for this dish. It will season the beef nicely.

Mexi-Corn – we bought a can of Mexi-Corn that is sweet corn with peppers. Just drain off the liquid first.

Rotel – If you don’t have Rotel do a can of diced tomatoes and a 4 ounce can of green chiles. It’s the same as Rotel.

Cream Cheese – Make sure the cream cheese is softened so it mixes well.

Mayonnaise – The mayo mixed with the cream cheese creates a creamy layer to the casserole.

Spices – Onion powder and garlic salt mix with the cream cheese and mayonnaise layer for a bit extra flavoring.

Cheese – Lastly you will use mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese. The pairing of the two cheese varieties compliments the other.

Variations

Canned Biscuits – Some recipes use canned biscuits for flatten out and stretch to fit the pan. You can go this route, we personally prefer the Bisquick version.

Vegetables – Thinly slice red or Orange peppers, onions, and even tomatoes and layer on top of the taco meat mixture. It’s more sliced like fajita style veggies.

Ground Turkey – Swap beef for ground turkey if you wanf. It is a fantastic alternative.

Canned Corn – If you prefer, go ahead and reach for drained canned. Len. Then just use as you would the Mexican corn.

How to Make

Step One: Start by adding your ground beef into a skillet on the stove. Cook till no longer pink. Add in the onions and cook with the hamburger meat.

Step Two: Now you will add in your taco seasoning and water, to season the meat. Let your meat fully get seasoned before you move on.

Step Three: Add in the drained Mexi-corn and Rotel and mix well.

Step Four: In a bowl add your Bisquick and water. Mix well to form the biscuit base. Spread into the 9×13 pan. We used a rubber spatula for spreading.

Step Five: Pour the ground beef mixture over the top. Use a spoon or spatula to spread it out evenly.

Step Six: Then add the cream cheese mixture layer, topped by the two types of cheese.

Step Seven: Bake your John Wayne casserole in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted on top and a little golden brown.

Slice and serve with your usual sides.

Storing Leftovers

This easy casserole is a great ground beef dinner or lunch for the next day. The leftovers are pretty tasty. Just store in a proper container.

Then reheat in the microwave or cover tightly and warm up in the oven for a meal the next day. This casserole with ground beef last 3-4 days.

In terms of freezing you will find the cream cheese layer will curdle and alter the texture once it thaws. It can be frozen but the texture will be a bit different once thawed. So it is up to you if you freeze. If so, it will freeze 2-3 months.

Practical notes

A few common questions when making this easy and comfort food casserole!

Can we make this a crockpot casserole?

So if you want to make this easy meal into a crockpot dinner, all you have to do is leave out the bisquick. Add in the other ingredients as a layered casserole. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours. Then cook up biscuits, you can use the Bisquick recipe on the box, or use refrigerator or homemade biscuits. Then pair on the side.

Is the dough on bottom soggy?

The dough on the bottom of the casserole bakes up into a fluffy biscuit texture. So when you slice into the Mexican casserole the fluffy biscuit is on the bottom. The key is to drain off the corn, rotel, and remove grease from the beef. That will prevent it from watering down the biscuit layer.

Easy way to remove grease from hamburger in skillet?

We use this kitchen hack all the time. Take a few paper towels and wad them up a bit, then take a set of tongs to hold the paper towel. Place in your pan and move it around and it will soak up the grease. u003cbru003eDepending on how much grease is in your pan you might have to do this a couple times to soak it all up. Once you do that it helps remove grease without making a mess trying to drain it out by tipping.

What is Rotel?

Rotel is diced tomatoes and green chilies in a can. If you don’t have any, just grab a can of diced tomatoes and then a small can of chilies. Then drain both and then pour into the dish.

Ingredients

Makes 9 x13

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning, or 2 tablespoons homemade
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1 can Rotel, drained (20 ounces)
• 1 can Mexi Corn, drained (7 ounces)

Biscuit Layer

• 3 cups Bisquick
• 1 cup water

Cream Cheese Topping

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Cheese Topping

• 1 1/2 cup mozzarella
• 1 cup sharp cheese

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then grease your 9×13 pan and set it aside.
2. Start by cooking your ground beef in a skillet on the stove. Toss in the diced onions to cook with the meat.
3. Once done drain off the grease, and then add the taco seasoning and water. Stir to coat all the meat in the taco seasoning.
4. Next, add in the drained corn and Rotel and mix well. Leave on simmer stirring occasionally.
5. In a bowl you will add your Bisquick and the cup of water. Mix well and this will be a thicker texture. Pour into the 9×13 pan spreading it out evenly.
6. Top with the ground beef mixture, spreading evenly.
7. In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer add the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic salt, and onion powder. Mix till creamy and pour on top of the meat.
8. Top with both blends of cheese.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top has a slight golden brown color.
10. Once the John Wayne casserole is done, you can allow to cool for about 5 minutes, and then slice and serve!

Kitchen notes

Rotel

– If you don’t have Rotel, use 1 can diced tomatoes, and 1 small can green chilies, drained. That is what Rotel is. Corn – If you don’t want to use Mexi-corn you can use a classic corn or leave it out. Mayo Swap – If you do not want to use mayonnaise with the cream cheese you can swap with sour cream or a plain Greek yogurt. Cheese – We love cheese but if you want less cheese you can do 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup sharp to make it less cheesy.