Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef with a cheesy, creamy topping over a biscuit crust. Perfect for family dinners, it’s easy to prepare and delivers comforting southwestern flavors.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and 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 Mild Salsa

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink. Stir occasionally and drain excess fat. While the beef cooks, prepare the biscuit dough.
3. Step 3: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well blended, using your hands if desired. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray, press the dough evenly into the dish, and bake for 5-8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Set aside but keep the oven on.
4. Step 4: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for about 4 minutes until tender. Stir in the taco seasoning, then remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Spread the beef and vegetable 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 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: Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra spice, use a medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
• Swap out the green chiles for jalapeños if you prefer more heat.
• Use a gluten-free biscuit mix to make the casserole gluten-free.
• Add corn or black beans to the beef mixture for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tortillas instead of biscuit mix?

While the biscuit crust provides a unique texture, you can substitute with a layer of corn or flour tortillas for a different style casserole. Adjust baking time accordingly.

Is this casserole suitable for freezing?

Yes, the casserole freezes well. Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

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5 from 134 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, a biscuit crust, and a creamy cheese topping with a southwestern flair. This one-dish meal combines simple ingredients with easy preparation, perfect for a family dinner or potluck.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 Crust

• 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (such as 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 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Topping

• ½ cup Salsa, mild

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready to bake the biscuit crust and later the assembled casserole.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until completely browned and no pink remains, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: While the beef cooks, combine the biscuit mix and water in a medium mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until you get a consistent dough; using your hands for mixing helps achieve even texture. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray, then press the dough evenly into the dish, spreading it to cover the bottom and edges. Bake this crust in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes until it is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep the oven on.
4. Cook the Vegetables: To the cooked ground beef in the skillet, add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for approximately 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the taco seasoning mix until well combined, then remove the skillet from heat.
5. Assemble the Layers: Evenly spread the seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture over the partially baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
6. Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In another medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth. Carefully spread this creamy mixture over the beef layer in the casserole dish.
7. Add Salsa and Cheese: Place small spoonfuls of mild salsa over the sour cream layer without spreading them out. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup (remaining cheese) evenly over the top to finish the layers.
8. Bake the Casserole: Return the assembled casserole to the oven, uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and slightly browned.

Notes

• You can substitute the taco seasoning mix with homemade seasoning if preferred for a lower sodium option.
• Using lean ground beef helps reduce fat content and prevents excess grease in the casserole.
• For extra heat, use a spicier salsa or add jalapeños to the green chile layer.
• Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
• The biscuit crust can be prepared ahead of time and partially baked before assembling.

Keywords: cattle drive casserole, ground beef casserole, biscuit crust casserole, southwestern casserole, easy family dinner, layered casserole