Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, vegetables, a biscuit base, and a creamy cheesy topping. This easy-to-make casserole combines taco flavors with comforting textures, perfect for a family dinner or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
Biscuit Base
- 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (like Bisquick)
- 1 cup Water
- Cooking Spray (like Pam)
Sour Cream Layer
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¾ cup Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded (part of 1 ½ cups total)
Topping
- ½ cup Salsa, mild
- ¾ cup Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded (remaining part of 1 ½ cups total)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to prepare for baking the biscuit base and casserole.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart using a spoon. Cook until it’s no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat. While the beef cooks, you can prepare the biscuit dough.
- Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir well, preferably using your hands for thorough mixing. Spray a 9×13″ casserole dish with cooking spray. Press the biscuit dough evenly into the dish spreading it out to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
- Cook the Vegetables: To the skillet with cooked ground beef, add the chopped onions and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until softened. Add the taco seasoning mix and blend thoroughly. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Layers: Evenly spread the cooked beef and vegetable mixture over the baked biscuit base in the casserole dish.
- Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and creamy. Carefully spread this mixture evenly over the ground beef layer.
- Add Salsa and Cheese: Drop small spoonfuls of mild salsa over the sour cream layer; there is no need to spread it out. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly throughout. Once done, remove from the oven and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute the biscuit mix with homemade biscuit dough if preferred.
- Use a fiesta blend cheese for a mix of flavors and colorful appearance.
- If you like spice, consider using medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving.
- This casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
