Description
Hearty John Wayne Casserole brings Tex-Mex comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of ground beef, peppers, and cheesy goodness. Southwestern flavors meld perfectly, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (4 ounces / 113 grams) sliced jalapenos
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy and Bread:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 can (16 ounces / 454 grams) refried beans
- 1 package (8 ounces / 227 grams) refrigerated crescent rolls
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for this hearty casserole.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions over medium heat, ensuring meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent. Drain away excess grease.
- Enhance the meat mixture by incorporating taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and sweet corn. Allow flavors to meld together during a brief 5-minute simmer.
- Whisk sour cream and mayonnaise in a separate bowl until smooth and well-combined.
- Unroll crescent roll dough into the baking dish, carefully pressing seams to create a uniform base layer.
- Spread a generous layer of refried beans across the dough, creating a rich foundation for the casserole.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the bean layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully spread the creamy sour cream mixture across the beef, then generously sprinkle both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
- Garnish the top with thin slices of spicy jalapeños for an extra kick of flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to personal preference before serving.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or using milder green chiles for sensitive palates.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for healthier protein alternatives.
- Use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise to reduce overall calorie content.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing beef mixture and layering casserole in advance, refrigerating until ready to bake.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 499 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 691 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg