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Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 101 reviews

Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty and flavorful layered dish inspired by classic cowboy cuisine, combining ground beef, vegetables, a biscuit crust, and creamy cheesy layers topped with salsa. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, offering a comforting blend of Tex-Mex flair and rugged Western spirit with easy preparation and satisfying taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix

Biscuit Layer

  • 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (such as Bisquick)
  • 1 cup Water
  • Cooking Spray (such as Pam), for greasing

Sour Cream Layer

  • ½ cup Sour Cream
  • ½ cup Mayonnaise
  • 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
  • 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded and divided
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Topping

  • ½ cup Salsa, mild

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking your casserole.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until there is no pink remaining, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. While the meat cooks, you can start making the biscuit dough.
  3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 2½ cups of biscuit mix with 1 cup of water. Stir until well blended, ideally kneading with your hands for thorough mixing. Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the dish, spreading it out to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven but keep the oven on.
  4. Cook the Vegetables and Season: Add the chopped yellow onion and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until the vegetables soften. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning mix and stir well to combine all flavors. Remove the skillet from heat.
  5. Assemble the Meat Layer: Spread the cooked and seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly on top of the pre-baked biscuit crust in your casserole dish.
  6. Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and homogeneous. Carefully spread this creamy mixture evenly over the ground beef layer in the casserole.
  7. Add Salsa and Cheese Topping: Dollop small spoonfuls of the mild salsa across the sour cream layer without spreading it. Then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire casserole top for a melty and flavorful finish.
  8. Bake the Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Bake for about 30 minutes until the dish is hot throughout, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Notes

  • You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
  • Freeze the unbaked casserole tightly wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking or bake from frozen with additional baking time (about 45-60 minutes).
  • For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat and reduce mayonnaise or replace with Greek yogurt.
  • Adjust taco seasoning or salsa to taste if you prefer more or less heat.
  • Make sure to cook the biscuit layer partially before adding other ingredients to prevent sogginess.
  • Use a large enough casserole dish to allow even cooking; overcrowding can cause uneven texture.
  • Drain excess fat from beef thoroughly to avoid greasy casserole.

Keywords: Cattle Drive Casserole, cowboy casserole, ground beef casserole, biscuit crust, Tex-Mex casserole, layered casserole, comfort food, easy casserole

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/cattle-drive-casserole-recipe/