Many consider John Wayne Casserole to be the best casserole recipe ever. While I don’t know if there is any real scientific evidence to prove this superiority, I can certainly understand why it’s a favorite of so many. This casserole is so, so tasty! It’s also quite filling, hearty, meaty, and perfect for feeding a hungry family at the end of a long day. What is a John Wayne Casserole, you ask? This is a deliciously meaty layered casserole with hints of veggies and lots of cheese! A thick layer of buttery biscuits creates the base layer, which we’ll top with a ground meat and veggie mixture that’s perfectly seasoned with tomatoes, chiles, and your favorite taco seasoning. After all that, we’ll top our casserole with a creamy cheesy mixture that browns up so beautifully in the oven. If you love cheesy casseroles, you have to check out my Pizza Casserole recipe next.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make the best casserole recipe ever: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Biscuits: I tested this recipe using Pillsbury refrigerated canned biscuits. You can use another brand, or even your tried and true homemade biscuit recipe. Meat: Use lean ground beef to make the classic version of this recipe. You could also make it with ground turkey, ground game meat, or vegan ground meat if you prefer. Taco Seasoning: Typically a mixture of ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and other spices, this blend gives the dish lots of warm, smoky flavor. Take a look at your seasoning to see if it contains salt. If it does, great! If it doesn’t, you’ll want to add salt as you’re cooking. If you have time, make my homemade taco seasoning, it’s much better than the store-bought stuff!ROTEL: If you know it, you already love it. This shortcut canned tomato product is the perfect mix of tomatoes and diced green chilies. You can use the regular, mild, or hot variety, depending on how spicy you like things. Want less spice? Use plain canned tomatoes instead.Veggies: Peppers, onions, and canned corn are nutritious and delicious additions to the casserole. Creamy Cheese Topping: A blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses.
How To Make John Wayne Casserole
Recipe Tips
If you don’t want your casserole to be very spicy, you can replace the Rotel with plain canned tomatoes instead. You do not need to add salt to the meat mixture if the taco seasoning you use has salt in it. Most taco seasoning packets have plenty of salt in them already.Replace the cheeses here with any melty shredded cheeses that you like. Mexican blend works really well here as well.
Storing Tips
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days and can be easily reheated in the microwave or oven. To freeze, transfer leftovers to a freezer container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make Ahead Instructions
You can make this casserole up to three months ahead of time! Simply make the recipe as directed below, including the final bake time. Allow it to cool down completely, then wrap well with plastic wrap and freeze. To cook, bake in a 350°F/180°C oven until warmed through. I suggest letting it thaw overnight in the fridge so that it bakes more quickly. It should take 40-45 minutes to reheat thawed casserole.
What To Serve With John Wayne Casserole
The beauty of casseroles with meat like this one is that it’s a full and balanced meal all by itself. It includes bread, meat, and veggies, layered into a tasty dish. You can add light side dishes like a fresh green salad, Mexican fruit salad, or steamed broccoli to up the nutritional value of the meal. Or you can focus your attention instead on making a delicious dessert, like my Lemon Icebox Cake, or a decadent Red Velvet Layer Cake. I think you’ll agree that John Wayne Casserole is the best casserole recipe ever! It’s the perfect recipe to fill hungry bellies and will be a new family favorite for sure. © Little Sunny Kitchen
