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Cheesy ground beef casserole with melted layers being served from a glass dish.

Cattle Drive Casserole (Easy Hearty Tex-Mex Bake)


  • Author: Chef Elon
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A robust, layered Tex-Mex-inspired casserole rooted in cowboy cuisine; combines ground beef, vegetables, cheese, and a biscuit base.


Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs lean ground beef

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 oz taco seasoning mix

2½ cups biscuit mix (e.g., Bisquick)

1 cup water

Cooking spray (e.g., Pam)

½ cup sour cream

½ cup mayonnaise

4 oz diced green chiles, drained

1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (Fiesta blend), divided

1 tsp garlic powder

½ cup mild salsa


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.

2. Cook ground beef in skillet until no longer pink; drain excess fat.

3. Add chopped onions and bell pepper; cook for 4 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning; remove from heat.

4. In a bowl, mix biscuit mix and water. Press dough into greased 9×13″ dish. Bake 5–8 minutes until lightly golden.

5. Layer beef mixture over baked biscuit crust.

6. In another bowl, mix sour cream, mayo, green chiles, ¾ cup cheese, and garlic powder. Spread over beef layer.

7. Spoon salsa on top (do not spread).

8. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

9. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate unbaked casserole up to 24 hours in advance.

Freezer-friendly: Assemble, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months.

Variations: Add jalapeños or black beans for extra kick; swap beef for turkey or plant-based crumbles.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner Recipes
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 490
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg