Easy John Wayne’s 1979 Casserole Recipe

Published Apr 10, 2024 By Elle Ann

Image credit: Sunny Side Suppers via YouTube

This savory and cheesy cowboy casserole is everything you’d ever want for dinner, it’s loaded, hearty, and delicious up to the last bite. This is a very easy dish to prepare and it only takes about 25 minutes to prepare, it’s perfect for days when you are too busy or simply too tired to cook something.

What’s even better is that you can save a lot if you have leftover ground beef in the fridge, plus, if you enjoy spicy dishes or if you love a little bit of kick in your food, then you’ll surely love this casserole. Learn how now with this video tutorial by Sunny Side Suppers on YouTube.

Ingredients for John Wayne’s 1979 Casserole:

Beef

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 yellow or red bell pepper, chopped
2 pounds of ground beef
¾ cup of water
1 oz or 2 tbsp of taco seasoning

Biscuit Base

2 cups of Bisquick mix
1 cup of water

Assemble

2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 (4 oz) can of green chili peppers
½ cup of mayonnaise
½ cup of sour cream
1 cup of shredded mozzarella
1 cup of shredded cheddar

How to Make John Wayne’s 1979 Casserole:

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F, then grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, and set it aside. Place a large skillet on a stove over medium heat, then heat the oil and add in the chopped onion and bell pepper. Saute and cook them for about 5 minutes until softened, then add the ground beef and turn the heat to medium-high.

Step 2

Break and cook the beef until fully cooked, then pour in ¾ of the water followed by the taco seasoning, and give them a good mix. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Step 3

In a large bowl, add the Bisquick mix and water, then give them a good mix until well combined, and pour it into the prepared baking dish. Spread the dough evenly and press it at the bottom, then transfer the meat on top of the dough spreading it evenly, and then add a layer of sliced tomatoes and green chili peppers.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, and half of the mozzarella cheese, then mix until combined, and spread it over the tomatoes and chili peppers layer. Sprinkle the cheddar and remaining mozzarella cheese on top, then place it in the preheated oven, and allow it to bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve and enjoy!