Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines savory ground beef with a cheesy, creamy topping and a biscuit base. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings when you want something hearty and satisfying.

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 Salsa, mild

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well mixed, using your hands for thorough blending if possible. Spray a 9×13” casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough evenly into the dish.
4. Step 4: Bake the biscuit base in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, or until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove and keep the oven on.
5. Step 5: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes, then add taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.
6. Step 6: Spread the cooked ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer.
7. Step 7: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth, then spread this mixture carefully over the beef layer.
8. Step 8: Drop small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer without spreading it out. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
9. Step 9: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Tips & Variations

• For extra spice, use a medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Use homemade biscuit dough if you prefer to avoid pre-made mixes.
• Add chopped jalapeños to the sour cream layer for a kick.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions until warm, or reheat in a 350℉ oven covered with foil to maintain moisture, about 15-20 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to the baking step and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I freeze Cattle Drive Casserole?

This casserole freezes well. Wrap it tightly before freezing and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 64 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, vegetables, a biscuit crust, and a creamy cheese topping with a hint of salsa. This casserole is perfect for a family dinner, combining rich flavors and a satisfying texture baked to perfection.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• 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

Seasonings and Mixes

• 1 ounce taco seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Biscuit Crust

• 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
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, fiesta blend (for sour cream mixture)

Toppings

• ½ cup mild salsa
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, fiesta blend (for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to prepare for baking the casserole layers.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart using a spoon. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Drain excess fat thoroughly. This step helps develop rich flavor and removes fat for a healthier dish.
3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: While the beef cooks, mix the biscuit mix and water in a medium bowl until well combined, preferably using your hands to evenly blend the dough. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and press the biscuit dough into the base, spreading it evenly to the edges. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes until the dough is firm and lightly golden. Remove from oven and keep oven on.
4. Cook the Vegetables and Season: To the cooked ground beef in the skillet, add chopped onion and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until vegetables are slightly softened. Add the taco seasoning mix and stir thoroughly to coat the meat and vegetables. Remove the skillet from heat.
5. Assemble the Ground Beef Layer: Evenly spread the cooked seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture over the pre-baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
6. Prepare and Add Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and well mixed. Carefully spread this creamy mixture over the ground beef layer, creating a smooth top.
7. Add Salsa and Top with Cheese: Spoon small dollops of mild salsa evenly over the sour cream layer without spreading it. Then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly atop the casserole.
8. Bake the Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• For best results, use fresh biscuit mix like Bisquick for a tender crust.
• Draining the fat from the cooked beef helps reduce greasiness of the casserole.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, use medium or hot salsa instead of mild salsa.
• Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
• You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter alternative.

Keywords: Cattle Drive Casserole, ground beef casserole, biscuit crust casserole, layered casserole, Tex-Mex casserole