Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, layered baked dish combining seasoned ground beef, a biscuit crust, a creamy sour cream and cheese mixture, topped with salsa and melted cheddar cheese. This comforting casserole brings together bold flavors and textures for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
Seasonings and Mixes
- 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (e.g., Bisquick)
Dairy and Condiments
- 1 cup Water
- Cooking Spray (e.g., Pam)
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
- 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided
- ½ cup Salsa, mild
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ to prepare for baking the biscuit crust and casserole layers later.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 ½ cups biscuit mix with 1 cup water. Stir well or knead with hands until fully mixed. Spray a 9 x 13” casserole dish with cooking spray, then press the biscuit dough evenly into the dish to form a crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove and set aside while keeping the oven on.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the chopped yellow onion and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until the vegetables soften. Then mix in 1 ounce taco seasoning until evenly combined. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Layers: Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
- Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, 4 ounces drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix thoroughly to a smooth consistency. Carefully spread this creamy mixture over the ground beef layer.
- Add Salsa and Cheese: Place small spoonfuls of ½ cup mild salsa evenly on top of the sour cream mixture without spreading. Then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Return the casserole dish to the oven, uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef helps keep the casserole from becoming too greasy after cooking.
- If you prefer more spice, use medium or hot salsa and taco seasoning instead of mild.
- The biscuit crust can be swapped with pre-made refrigerated biscuit dough for convenience.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
