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Cattle Drive Casserole, a make-ahead meal for easy dinner recipes

Cattle Drive Casserole

A comforting casserole combining hearty beef, fresh vegetables, and layers of cheese, perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 2.5 cups Biscuit Mix (like Bisquick)
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
  • 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
  • 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese (Fiesta Blend), shredded, divided Save 3/4 cup for layering
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 cup Salsa (mild) Adjust spiciness to preference
For Cooking
  • Cooking Spray (like Pam) For greasing the casserole dish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350℉.
  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. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well mixed, ideally using your hands for thorough blending. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough into the dish, spreading it out to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, or until the dough is set and lightly golden. Set aside, but keep the oven on.
  4. Cook the Vegetables: Add chopped onions and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Assemble the Layers: Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly on top of the baked biscuit layer.
  2. Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture over the ground beef layer.
  3. Add Salsa and Cheese: Add small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer (no need to spread it out). Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.
  4. Bake: Place the casserole back in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Make sure to drain excess fat from the ground beef for a less greasy dish. Use fresh vegetables to enhance flavor and nutrition. Feel free to add more spices for an extra kick. Double the recipe for a crowd or meal prep.