This hearty recipe captures “all the bold flavors of the Wild West—no open flame required.” The John Wayne Casserole is a warm, layered comfort dish inspired by the famous cowboy actor and loved for its rich, satisfying taste. Built on a biscuit crust and filled with seasoned beef, creamy toppings, and melted cheese, it’s an easy way to make weeknight dinners feel special.

The dish starts with a simple explanation: it’s “a warm, oven-baked dish built in layers” using a biscuit base, taco-seasoned beef, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, onions, a creamy sour-cream-and-mayo mixture, and a cheesy topping. It’s especially popular at potlucks and family gatherings.

The ingredients are straightforward: 1 pound of ground beef, taco seasoning, Rotel, optional onions, biscuit dough, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheddar cheese. Seasonings like salt and pepper adjust the final taste. The recipe keeps the focus on familiar pantry staples that come together easily.

Making the casserole begins with browning the beef, draining it, and stirring in taco seasoning, water, Rotel, and onions until everything thickens. The next step is pressing the “refrigerated biscuit dough” into the baking dish to form the crust.

After that, the layers are assembled: beef on the bottom, the “creamy mixture of sour cream, mayo, and cheddar cheese” on top, and more cheddar to finish. The casserole bakes at 350°F until the top is melted and bubbly and the biscuit base is cooked. After a brief rest, it slices neatly and serves as a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal.