Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Combining seasoned ground beef, a biscuit crust, and creamy layers, it brings comfort and zest to your table in one satisfying bake.

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 (such as Bisquick)
• 1 cup water
• Cooking spray (like Pam)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 4 ounces diced green chiles, drained
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, fiesta blend, divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup mild salsa

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃).
2. Step 2: In a 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 cooking, prepare the biscuit dough.
3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir together until well blended, using your hands if needed for thorough mixing. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough evenly into the dish. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
4. Step 4: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef. Cook, stirring, for about 4 minutes. Mix in the taco seasoning, then remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer in the casserole dish.
6. Step 6: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup of shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth. Spread this mixture carefully over the beef layer.
7. Step 7: Add small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer without spreading. Then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of shredded cheese evenly on top.
8. Step 8: Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra spice, use a medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
• Swap the cheddar fiesta blend for a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
• Add black beans or corn to the beef mixture for added texture and nutrition.
• If you prefer, use homemade biscuit dough instead of biscuit mix for a fresh touch.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish covered in a 350℉ oven until heated through.

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 but delay baking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake within 24 hours for best results.

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner option, though cooking times and seasoning may need slight adjustments for flavor.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 115 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty layered casserole featuring seasoned ground beef and vibrant vegetables over a biscuit crust, topped with a creamy sour cream and cheese mixture, accented by mild salsa and baked to bubbly perfection. This dish combines comfort and convenience with its layered textures and bold southwestern flavors.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American, Southwestern

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

Toppings

• ½ cup Salsa, mild

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to prepare for baking the biscuit crust and final casserole.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean. While the beef cooks, you can prepare the biscuit dough.
3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix with water. Stir thoroughly, preferably using your hands for best blending. Spray a casserole dish generously with cooking spray and press the biscuit dough evenly into the dish, spreading it out to all edges. Bake this crust for 5-8 minutes until it is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep oven on.
4. Cook the Vegetables: To the cooked ground beef in the skillet, add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add the taco seasoning mix and stir well to combine flavors. Remove from heat.
5. Assemble the Layers: Spread the savory ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the partially 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 creamy. Carefully spread this sour cream mixture over the beef layer to form a rich middle layer.
7. Add Salsa and Cheese: Dot small spoonfuls of mild salsa evenly over the sour cream layer; do not spread it. Then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of shredded cheese evenly on top to create a cheesy crust.
8. Bake: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot throughout and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Use a lean ground beef variety to reduce excess fat and improve the nutritional profile.
• You can substitute the biscuit mix with homemade biscuit dough if preferred.
• For extra zest, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sour cream mixture.
• This casserole pairs well with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated covered in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: cater drive casserole, ground beef casserole, layered casserole, southwestern casserole, biscuit crust casserole, easy casserole recipe