Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, layered dish inspired by cowboy cuisine blending ground beef, vegetables, biscuit crust, and a creamy cheese topping with a touch of Tex-Mex flavor. This comforting casserole is easy to prepare, perfect for family dinners or gatherings, and features a golden biscuit base, seasoned beef and pepper filling, creamy green chile and cheese layer, finished with salsa and melted cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded, chopped
- 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
Biscuit Crust
- 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (e.g., Bisquick)
- 1 cup Water
- Cooking Spray (like Pam)
Creamy Topping
- 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
Additional
- ½ cup Mild Salsa
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. While the beef cooks, start the biscuit dough preparation.
- Prepare the Biscuit Dough and Par-Bake: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 ½ cups biscuit mix with 1 cup water. Mix thoroughly, preferably by hand, until a dough forms. Spray a 9×13” casserole dish with cooking spray, then press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
- Cook the Vegetables with Seasoning: To the cooked beef, add the chopped onions and red bell pepper. Cook and stir for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the taco seasoning thoroughly, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the Beef Layer: Spread the seasoned beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
- Prepare and Spread the Creamy Layer: In a medium bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture evenly over the beef layer in the casserole.
- Add Salsa and Cheese Topping: Spoon small dollops of salsa across the creamy layer without spreading. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of shredded cheese over the top evenly for a melted cheesy finish.
- Bake the Casserole: Return the assembled casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for 30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, refrigerate, and bake fresh when needed—add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking cold.
- For longer storage, freeze the unbaked assembled casserole wrapped tightly in plastic and foil for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Use lean meats or plant-based alternatives to lower fat content.
- Adjust seasonings such as adding jalapenos or extra taco seasoning for spicier versions.
- Ensure potatoes (if used in other versions) are pre-cooked to avoid undercooked texture.
- Avoid overcrowding the baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Drain excess fat from cooked meat to prevent sogginess.
Keywords: Cattle Drive Casserole, cowboy casserole, ground beef casserole, Tex-Mex casserole, biscuit crust casserole, layered casserole
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/cattle-drive-casserole-recipe/
