Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef with a cheesy, creamy topping baked over a biscuit crust. It’s a comforting meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
• 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
• 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick
• 1 cup Water
• Cooking Spray, like Pam
• 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
• ½ cup Salsa, mild

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off excess fat.
3. Step 3: While the meat cooks, prepare the biscuit dough. In a bowl, combine biscuit mix and water, stirring until well mixed. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough into the dish, spreading to the edges. Bake for 5-8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep it on.
4. Step 4: Add chopped onions and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef. Cook for about 4 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning, then remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Spread the ground beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust.
6. Step 6: In a medium bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread this mixture carefully over the ground beef layer.
7. Step 7: Spoon small dollops of salsa over the sour cream layer without spreading. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
8. Step 8: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika to the ground beef mixture.
• Use a blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for a richer cheese topping.
• Substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream to lighten up the creamy layer.
• Add canned corn or black beans to the beef mixture for more texture and nutrients.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350℉ until warmed through to preserve the crispy biscuit crust and melty cheese.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to the point before baking and refrigerate for a few hours. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes if chilled.

Can I use a different biscuit mix or homemade biscuit dough?

Absolutely. Any biscuit mix or homemade biscuit dough that bakes well in a casserole dish can be used. Adjust baking time as needed to ensure the dough is fully cooked and golden.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 80 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, a biscuit crust, and a creamy sour cream topping with cheese and green chiles. It combines classic Tex-Mex flavors for a satisfying family meal that is baked to perfection.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 Yellow Onion, chopped

Seasoning and Mixes

• 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
• 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Liquids and Sauces

• 1 cup Water
• Cooking Spray, like Pam
• ½ cup Sour Cream
• ½ cup Mayonnaise
• ½ cup Salsa, mild

Other

• 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
• 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to prepare for baking both the biscuit crust and the assembled casserole.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat. This step creates the flavorful meat base for the casserole.
3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: While the meat cooks, combine biscuit mix and water in a mixing bowl. Stir until well mixed, using your hands if possible for better incorporation. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough evenly into the dish, spreading it to the edges. Bake the biscuit crust in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
4. Cook the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the skillet with cooked ground beef. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until softened. Add the taco seasoning mix and stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors. Remove the mixture from heat.
5. Assemble the Layers: Spread the cooked ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
6. Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of shredded cheese, and garlic powder until smooth and well combined. Carefully spread this creamy mixture over the ground beef layer to create a rich middle layer.
7. Add Salsa and Cheese: Spoon the mild salsa over the sour cream layer in small dollops without spreading. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top to add flavor and a golden cheesy crust when baked.
8. Bake the Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot throughout and bubbly on top. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• You can substitute the biscuit mix with homemade biscuit dough if preferred.
• For extra spice, use a medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
• If you want a crispier top, you can broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Keywords: cattle drive casserole, ground beef casserole, biscuit casserole, Tex-Mex casserole, layered casserole