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Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

4.5 from 487 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, layered casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, vibrant vegetables, a biscuit crust, and a creamy, cheesy topping with a touch of salsa for extra flavor. This comforting dish combines a biscuit base with a savory beef and vegetable filling, topped with a rich blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, green chiles, and cheddar cheese, baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Vegetable Layer

  • 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded, chopped
  • 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Biscuit Dough

  • 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (like 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
  • ½ cup Salsa, mild

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole layers.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
  3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: While the beef cooks, combine biscuit mix and water in a mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly, preferably using your hands to blend evenly. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough evenly into the dish, spreading it to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep the oven on.
  4. Cook the Vegetables: Add chopped onions and red bell peppers to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir and cook together for about 4 minutes until vegetables soften. Mix in taco seasoning thoroughly, then remove the skillet from heat.
  5. Assemble the Layers: Spread the seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
  6. Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and well blended. Spread this creamy mixture carefully over the ground beef layer.
  7. Add Salsa and Cheese: Drop small spoonfuls of mild salsa evenly over the sour cream mixture without spreading. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top layer evenly to finish.
  8. Bake: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and make the casserole healthier.
  • Drain excess grease from the cooked beef to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
  • Keep the oven on after pre-baking the biscuit crust for convenience and consistent heat.
  • Salsa can be adjusted to your preferred heat level; mild is suggested for a balanced flavor.
  • This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated prior to baking for an easy meal prep option.

Keywords: cattle drive casserole, ground beef casserole, layered casserole, biscuit crust casserole, cheesy beef casserole