Introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Combining seasoned ground beef, a biscuit base, and creamy layers with cheesy goodness, this casserole is both comforting and easy to make.

A close-up image shows a thick slice of lasagna being lifted with a fork, stretching melted yellow and white cheese strings down to the rest of the dish in a white glass baking dish. The lasagna has at least four visible layers: a bottom creamy white cheese layer, a thick brown meat sauce layer, a middle white cheese layer, and a top golden melted cheese layer, browned in spots and sprinkled with small green herbs. The white marbled background adds a clean contrast to the warm, rich colors of the lasagna. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 (such as Bisquick)
1 cup Water
Cooking Spray (such as 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

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (175℃).
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink. Stir occasionally and drain off any excess fat.
Step 3: While the beef cooks, combine the biscuit mix and water in a mixing bowl. Stir until well blended, preferably using your hands for even mixing.
Step 4: Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Press the biscuit dough evenly into the dish, reaching the edges. Bake for 5–8 minutes until set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep oven on.
Step 5: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Cook for about 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften, then stir in the taco seasoning. Remove from heat.
Step 6: Spread the ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer in the casserole dish.
Step 7: In a medium bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of the shredded cheese, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread this mixture carefully over the ground beef layer.
Step 8: Dot the salsa in small spoonfuls over the sour cream layer without spreading. Then, evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
Step 9: Return the casserole to the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder to the ground beef mixture.
If you prefer a spicier casserole, substitute mild salsa with medium or hot salsa.
Use a blend of cheeses for different taste profiles, such as adding Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese.
You can swap out mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to lighten the sour cream layer while keeping creaminess.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover loosely with foil and warm in a 350℉ oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. This dish does not freeze well due to the biscuit base texture.

How to Serve

This image shows a tall, layered dish with four visible layers. The bottom layer is a mix of finely ground brown meat and a creamy white sauce. The second layer is a thick layer of melted white cheese with bits of ground meat mixed in. The third layer looks like more of the brown ground meat. The top layer is covered with bright orange melted cheese, oozing and stretching as it pulls away, with small pieces of chopped green herbs sprinkled on top. The dish sits on a white plate with a dark rim, placed on a dark brown wooden surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to the baking step and refrigerate it overnight. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if baking directly from chilled.

What can I use if I don’t have biscuit mix?

You can substitute with homemade biscuit dough or use a baking mix labeled for biscuits or scones, but the texture may vary slightly. Alternatively, try a cornbread mix for a different twist.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 108 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish layering seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a creamy cheesy topping over a golden biscuit crust. This comforting casserole combines bold Tex-Mex flavors with the convenience of a baked one-dish meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Yellow Onion, chopped

Seasonings and Mixes

1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Biscuit Crust

2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (such as Bisquick)
1 cup Water
Cooking Spray (like Pam)

Sour Cream Layer

½ cup Sour Cream
½ cup Mayonnaise
4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
¾ cup Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded (for sour cream mixture)

Toppings

½ cup Salsa, mild
¾ cup Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ to prepare for baking the casserole and biscuit crust.
Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off excess fat to keep the dish light.
Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir or knead with your hands until the dough is well mixed. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray, then press the biscuit dough evenly into the dish spreading it out to the edges. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven and keep the oven on for later.
Cook the Vegetables: Add the chopped onions and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the taco seasoning until evenly distributed, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Assemble the Layers: Spread the seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust.
Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, diced green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder until smooth. Spread this creamy mixture carefully over the ground beef layer.
Add Salsa and Cheese: Drop spoonfuls of mild salsa over the sour cream layer without spreading. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top for a cheesy finish.
Bake: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden. Remove and let it cool slightly before serving.