Why Make This Recipe
Cattle Drive Casserole is a delicious and hearty meal that can easily satisfy a crowd. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even cozy nights where you want something comforting. With a mix of ground beef, veggies, and cheesy goodness, this casserole is not only tasty but also simple to make. Plus, it uses common ingredients, making it easy to whip up on short notice.
How to Make Cattle Drive Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 2 Medium mixing bowls
- 9 x 13″ casserole dish
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
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350℉.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until there is no pink left, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat. (While the meat cooks, you can prepare the biscuit dough.)
- 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.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the 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.
- Assemble the Layers: Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly on top of the baked biscuit layer.
- Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup of shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture over the ground beef layer.
- 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.
- Bake: Place the casserole back in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
How to Serve Cattle Drive Casserole
Once your casserole is out of the oven and bubbling, serve it warm. You can enjoy it as is or with a side salad or some tortilla chips for added crunch. Let everyone serve themselves for a fun and casual dinner!
How to Store Cattle Drive Casserole
To store any leftovers, let the casserole cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It should last for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store it for longer, consider freezing individual portions. Just make sure to wrap them tightly before placing them in the freezer.
Tips to Make Cattle Drive Casserole
- Customize the Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables, like corn or black beans, to the beef mixture for extra flavor.
- Increase Spice: If you like it spicy, consider using spicy salsa or adding jalapeños.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the casserole in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
Variation
For a healthier twist, you can use ground turkey instead of beef. You can also substitute whole wheat biscuit mix to make it a bit lighter.
FAQs
Can I make Cattle Drive Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the casserole and keep it covered in the fridge. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Just make sure to use an airtight container, and the casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
What can I serve with Cattle Drive Casserole?
This casserole pairs well with a fresh green salad, guacamole, or salsa for dipping. You can also serve it with rice or tortilla chips.
Cattle Drive Casserole
Ingredients
Meat and Veggies
- 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- 1 each Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 each Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
Biscuit Base
- 2.5 cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick Can substitute with whole wheat biscuit mix for a lighter option.
- 1 cup Water
- 1 spray Cooking Spray, like Pam For greasing the casserole dish.
Toppings
- 0.5 cup Sour Cream
- 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
- 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
- 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided Reserve ¾ cup for mixing.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 0.5 cup Salsa, mild Use spicy salsa for a kick.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until there is no pink left. Drain excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix with water. Mix until well blended, ideally using your hands.
- Spray a 9 x 13″ casserole dish with cooking spray and spread the dough out to the edges. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until set and lightly golden. Set aside.
Cooking
- Add chopped onions and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef. Cook for about 4 minutes.
- Stir in taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.
Assembly
- Spread the ground beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer.
- In a medium bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup cheese, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread over the ground beef layer.
- Dot small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Baking
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.