Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (2024)

This John Wayne Casserole is made with meat, cheese, onions, peppers and just the right amount of Southwestern spice. A total comfort food recipe that makes a great family dinner any night of the week.

Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (1)

Contents hide

1 What Is A John Wayne Casserole?

2 John Wayne Casserole

2.1 Ingredients:

2.2 Directions:

3 A Recipe Made To Be Tweaked

4 A Great Recipe For A Crowd

5 John Wayne Casserole

5.1 Ingredients 1x2x3x

5.2 Instructions

5.3 Notes

5.4 Nutrition

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What Is A John Wayne Casserole?

So, what exactly is a John Wayne Casserole? Why is it named after the famous actor? Well, it appears that years ago, he donated this recipe to a charity cookbook. But, over the past several decades, it has evolved quite a bit. While doing research for this recipe, I found so many different versions of this recipe. In fact, it appears that the original John Wayne Casserole recipe (meaning, the version that John Wayne created!) didn’t even have meat in it, only egg. But over the years, ground beef has been inserted into most of the recipes. Regardless, from what I can tell, no matter how this recipe is tweaked, it seems to be a huge hit at dinner tables everywhere.

Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (2)

But, really, what’s not to love? Taco meat, peppers, onions, chilis and tons of cheese all piled on a layer of biscuits? Yes please! This is literally what comfort food is all about, and we are proud to have it here at Bubba Pie! So, without wasting any more time, let’s head to the wild west and whip up our version of this John Wayne Casserole. For a step-by-step instructions on a printable recipe scroll to the bottom of the post.

John Wayne Casserole

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups bisquick mix
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 can, 10 oz, diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can, 4 ounces, diced chilies
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, add bisquick and 1 cup water. Mix well. Spray bottom of casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread the dough into prepared baking dish. Make sure edges of dough are cover the bottom of the dish. Set aside.Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (3)
  3. Brown beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water and heat for an additional 3-5 minutes. Spread browned ground beef mixture on top of bisquick layer. Add diced tomatoes on top.Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (4)
  4. Heat green bell peppers and onion in a skillet until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on top of beef. Add green chilies spooning evenly on top. Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (5)
  5. In a separate medium sized bowl, add sour cream, mayonnaise and 1 cup of cheese. Stir and mix well. Spoon sour cream mixture on top of peppers.Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (6)
  6. Top with remaining cheeseEasy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (7)
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Let set for 5 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.

A Recipe Made To Be Tweaked

One way to tweak this recipe to your tastes is the level of spice involved. For this version, we used green chiles to add a little heat. And, while technically green chiles and jalapenos are the same thing, I think putting from fresh sliced jalapeno peppers into this recipe would be delicious. You could also mix in some taco cheese or pepper jack cheese to add even more kick!

Let’s be honest, this recipe wouldn’t be considered a light and lean dish. So, if you are looking to pump the breaks on the calories, you could certainly make some adjustments there as well. Try subbing the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You could also use low fat or light mayonnaise, cheese or sour cream.

A Great Recipe For A Crowd

Try this recipe at your next dinner party or if you have friends over to watch the big game. It does a great job feeding a larger number of people. Or, if you have it for a weeknight family dinner, you will certainly have leftovers.

We love to bake casseroles in our Le Creuset Casserole Dish because it comes with a lid! You can just keep your leftovers right in your casserole dish in the fridge! No more aluminum foil! Or, if you are looking for something a little less expensive, this one works great too!

Or, you can get this 6 piece non-stick oven bakeware baking set. It comes with just about ANY pan you’ll ever need to bake with! From muffins to bread loafs to cookie sheets. And it’s only $26.00!!!

And trust me, this is one of those dishes that will taste just as good, if not better, reheated the next day!

I hope you enjoy this John Wayne Casserole recipe. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (8)

Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (9)

Rate this Recipe

John Wayne Casserole

Course Main Course

Servings 8 people

The tasty dish with the weird name, this John Wayne Casserole is made with meat, cheese and just the right amount of spice to make your dinner table the happiest place on this side of the Mississippi!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups bisquick
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet 1 oz, taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 can 10 oz, diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can 4 oz, diced chilies
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, add bisquick and 1 cup water. Mix well. Spread into prepared pan. Set aside.

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (10)

  • Brown beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water and heat for an additional 3-5 minutes. Spread on top of Bisquick layer.

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (11)

  • Add diced tomatoes on top.

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (12)

  • Heat green pepper and onion in a skillet until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on top of beef. Add green chilies spooning evenly on top.

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (13)

  • In a separate bowl, add sour cream, mayonnaise and 1 cup of cheese. Mix well. Spoon on top of peppers.

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (14)

  • Top with remaining cheese

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (15)

  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Let set for 5 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.

    Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (16)

Notes

One way to tweak this recipe to your tastes is the level of spice involved. For this version, we used green chilies to add a little heat. And, while technically green chilis and jalapenos are the same thing, I think putting from fresh sliced jalapenos into this recipe would be delicious. You could also mix in some taco cheese or pepper jack cheese to add even more kick!

Let’s be honest, this recipe wouldn’t be considered a light and lean dish. So, if you are looking to pump the breaks on the calories, you could certainly make some adjustments there as well. Try subbing the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You could also use low fat or light mayonnaise, cheese or sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal

Love this recipe?Follow @bubbapie for even more delicious recipes!!

Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (17)

Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe - BubbaPie (2024)

FAQs

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

Is it better to bake a casserole covered or uncovered? ›

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

What is John Wayne casserole made of? ›

That's right, the iconic John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the actor himself. Typically, you'll find that most recipes call for refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and Cheddar cheese.

How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

Balance Flavors

Casseroles can really shine when they achieve a harmonious balance of flavors. Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

What is the main ingredient in a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

How long should a casserole be cooked for? ›

The time a casserole takes to cook will vary from 2-2½ hours for chuck, blade and thick flank, up to 4 hours for shin, leg and neck. Pork cuts for braising and casseroling normally take 1½ hours, and lamb much the same.

Should a casserole be covered in liquid? ›

A tight-fitting lid on your casserole dish ensures the dish doesn't lose moisture during the long cooking process. Size matters. If your dish is too small, the liquid can overflow. If it's too large, the liquid can reduce too quickly and dry out the food.

Is it better to bake a casserole in glass or metal? ›

What Should I Bake In a Metal Baking Pan? We hate to say it – we've got nothing against glass, we promise! – but metal does an overall better job than glass of baking almost everything except for acidic desserts. It bakes evenly because it heats up so quickly.

Why is it called a John Wayne casserole? ›

In her pitch, she asked the stars to provide the recipe for their favorite dish. Wayne offered a simple concoction of egg souffle, cheese, green chiles, and tomatoes. His basic recipe became known as John Wayne Casserole, and it's now adored as a breakfast classic in many households.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What is Jackie Kennedy casserole? ›

A seemingly simple, tender noodle dish with plenty of cheesy, tangy flavor, and the refreshing garden sharpness of chives, Jackie Kennedy's Special Casserole is delicate and hearty at the same time, heartwarmingly homemade yet delightfully classic.

Should I put foil over my casserole? ›

Covering a casserole traps heat and steam and gets the casserole cooking. However, you also have to take the cover off to get a crunchy, browned top. Covering a casserole in the oven depends on what you're making, and whether or not the ingredients inside are already cooked when the dish goes into the oven.

What thickens a casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

Why is my casserole bland? ›

The mistake: It's bland

What goes wrong: It is always hard to adjust seasoning on a casserole, because once it is baked, the seasoning, such as it is, is cooked in and there is no “taste and adjust seasoning” in the cooking process. How to fix it: Some other flavor boosters can help.

What are three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

Top tips for casseroles
  1. Cut your ingredients, such as meat, potatoes and parsnips, into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. ...
  2. To save time – and washing up – use a flameproof, ovenproof casserole dish. ...
  3. Avoid adding flour after cooking or the raw flour taste will remain.

What are the 4 parts of a casserole? ›

Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

What are 3 possible advantages to preparing your own casseroles? ›

Why You Should Be Cooking More Casseroles
  1. They're versatile. For every set of tastebuds, there's a casserole to match. ...
  2. They can be nutritious. ...
  3. They're easy, from prep through cleanup. ...
  4. They feed a crowd. ...
  5. They're transportable and gift-able.

What dictates a casserole? ›

They're often defined by the vessel they're baked and served in, which is called a casserole dish. The ingredients in a casserole can be layered or simply mixed together. And although oven-baked pasta dishes like lasagna and baked ziti are technically casseroles they're not known as such; those are called baked pastas.

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