Cheesy Tex-Mex John Wayne Casserole
This Tex-Mex John Wayne Casserole is a warm, comforting dish — layered with biscuits, seasoned ground beef, and creamy cheese. It’s a hearty dinner recipe that’s great for busy weeknights or a weekend potluck.
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It’s a great meal for feeding the whole family, and leftovers reheat perfectly for lunch the next day. My kids love it with a side of corn or a simple salad, and I usually sprinkle a little fresh parsley on top before serving for that finishing touch.
Try serving them with my Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic Vinegar & Herbs and Herb and Vegetable Stuffing.
How to Make Cheesy Tex-Mex John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Chop the onion and parsley.
3. Grease a 9×13-inch pan and press the biscuits into it. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.
4. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is browned. Drain any grease.
5. Add Rotel, green chiles, taco seasoning, and water. Stir until combined, then pour the mixture over the biscuit layer.
6. In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Spread this over the meat mixture.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for about 5 minutes, then top with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve and Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- Pre-baking the biscuit layer for about 10 minutes keeps it from getting soggy once you add the beef and cheese layers.
- Make sure to drain the Rotel, green chiles, and ground beef to prevent too much liquid in the casserole.
- Soften the cream cheese: Let it sit at room temperature before mixing so it spreads smoothly over the meat layer.
- If your family likes it mild, use plain diced tomatoes instead of Rotel or skip the green chiles. For extra heat, add a pinch of chili powder or diced jalapeños.
- You can prep the meat mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble and bake when ready to serve.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm and bubbly.
Cheesy Tex-Mex John Wayne Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz tube of jumbo biscuits
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ white onion diced
- 10 oz can Rotel drained
- 4 oz green chiles drained
- 1 oz packet taco seasoning
- ⅓ cup water
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 8 oz cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Chop the onion and parsley.
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan and press the biscuits into it. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is browned. Drain any grease.
- Add Rotel, green chiles, taco seasoning, and water. Stir until combined, then pour the mixture over the biscuit layer.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Spread this over the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool for about 5 minutes, then top with fresh parsley before serving.
