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Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

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4 from 8 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, layered dish that combines seasoned ground beef with a biscuit crust, a creamy sour cream and cheese layer, and a zesty salsa topping. Inspired by the bold flavors of the Old West and Tex-Mex cuisine, this casserole is perfect for a comforting family meal or potluck.

  • Author: Zara
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

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 Base

  • 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (such as Bisquick)
  • 1 cup Water
  • Cooking Spray (such as 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

Topping

  • ½ cup Mild Salsa

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ to prepare for baking the biscuit crust and the casserole later.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess fat from the pan. While the beef cooks, you can start preparing the biscuit dough.
  3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until the dough is well blended, preferably kneading with your hands for even consistency. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray, then press the dough evenly into the bottom and spread out to the edges. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep the oven on.
  4. Cook the Vegetables: Return to your skillet with browned beef. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Stir and cook together for about 4 minutes until vegetables soften. Add the taco seasoning mix and stir well to combine. Remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the Layers: Evenly spread the cooked ground beef and vegetables mixture over the pre-baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
  6. Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar Fiesta blend cheese, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Spread this mixture carefully over the ground beef layer.
  7. Add Salsa and Cheese: Dollop small spoonfuls of mild salsa on top of the sour cream layer — these do not need to be spread evenly. Then, sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded cheese evenly over the entire casserole.
  8. Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled casserole back into the oven, uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is nicely melted and slightly browned.

Notes

  • Drain excess fat from cooked beef to reduce greasiness.
  • Biscuit crust can be substituted with pre-made biscuits pressed into the dish for convenience.
  • For a spicier casserole, use medium or hot salsa instead of mild.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • This casserole pairs well with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.