Spicy and bursting with an authentic Western flavor, Pioneer Woman’s John Wayne Casserole recipe couldn’t be simpler to prepare. The hands-on time required is only 15 minutes because of the use of premade and canned materials. The oven will take care of the rest.

The end product is an exquisite blend of tastes and textures that will send your taste buds into overdrive. It has a lot of flavors, including cheese, heat, and spice.

Pioneer Woman’s John Wayne Casserole Recipe

This casserole has a unique name and a flavor that’s just as unique. This popular meal has multiple components that work together to make a magnificent final product.

The very bottom consists of a bed of tender biscuit crust. Don’t worry, you won’t have to make biscuits from scratch because you will be able to use a reliable biscuit mix. A mixture of ground beef, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, chiles, sour cream, and mayonnaise comes next. What I’m saying is that this casserole is the ultimate taco!

The casserole is not complete without a hefty helping of cheddar cheese. When baked, it forms a crust that is both beautiful and delightfully gooey when you bite into it. Upon taking your first bite of this dish, you will realize that it has been the sole thing lacking in your existence.

Why is it Called John Wayne Casserole?

After doing some digging, I discovered that John Wayne had contributed this casserole recipe to Cara Connery’s 1979 booklet, “Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends.”

Even though I can’t prove the authenticity of the folklore, it makes for a pleasant tale.

Pioneer Woman’s John Wayne Casserole Ingredients

• Biscuit Baking Mix – This casserole’s crust is so soft that it practically melts in your mouth. Use whatever brand you choose; my personal favorites are Bisquick and Pillsbury.
• Ground Beef – It imparts a rich beefy umami flavor to the casserole.
• Taco Seasoning – This seasoning takes your ground beef from tasty to mouth-watering.
• Tomato – It provides a juicy and energizing contrast to the heavy dish.
• Green Pepper – Add some spice for a refreshing flavor!
• Onion – Sauteed onions are used in Pioneer Woman’s John Wayne Casserole dish, but raw onion slices can be added for a bolder taste.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and Diced Chilies – This mixture helps make the casserole spicy.
• Sour Cream and Mayo – The luscious, creamy ingredients temper the spicy peppers.
• Cheddar Cheese – Cheese is part and parcel of many casseroles. When baked, the exterior forms a golden crisp while the interior remains deliciously melty.

John Wayne’s Casserole Toppings

Even though this casserole is already packed to the gills, you can add even more pizzazz to your meal by piling on the toppings.

The addition of sliced jalapenos, black olives, and chopped green onions can add both color and texture to the casserole.

To complete what is essentially a casserole version of tacos, you can also serve it with your favorite salsa and guacamole. Yum! Additionally, sour cream, a refreshing complement to the spicy casserole, works well as a finishing touch.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s John Wayne Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or oil.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix the baking mix with 1 cup of water. Add to the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
  
• Brown the beef in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the taco spice and 1/4 cup of water, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Spread the baking mix batter on top of the biscuit layer evenly. Top with diced canned tomatoes.
  
• In a skillet set over medium heat, cook the green pepper and onion until the latter is translucent, about 5 minutes. Spread on top of the diced tomatoes. Top with canned diced chilies.
  
• In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream with the mayonnaise and 1 cup of cheese. Spread on top of the layer of chilies. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
  
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cheese melts. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

What to Serve With John Wayne’s Casserole

• 7 Layer Salad
• Watermelon Salad
• Paella Salad
•  Salad Nicoise
• Broccoli Salad
• Bierocks
• Roasted Red Potatoes

How to Store John Wayne’s Casserole

Allow your John Wayne Casserole to cool to room temperature and then store the leftovers in an airtight container before moving it to the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You may keep any leftover John Wayne Casserole in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat John Wayne’s Casserole

To reheat John Wayne’s Casserole, just cover the dish with foil and place it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recipe Tips

• If the biscuit batter is quite sticky, it may be difficult to spread in the baking pan. To make it easier, once the batter is in the pan, cover it with parchment paper and press down firmly so that it forms an even layer.
• This casserole, like many others, can be altered to suit individual preferences. Don’t worry too much about being precise with the measurements. Change the proportions of the ingredients to suit your own palate.
• Put in as many or as few of your preferred ingredients as you wish. I’m referring to the kernels, olives, and peppers. Add some spices or pepper jack cheese. A good rule of thumb is that whatever goes well in tacos will also go well in this casserole.
• If you’re watching your weight, you should probably steer away from this casserole. If you just can’t help yourself, you may cut down on the calories by substituting ground turkey or chicken for beef. You can also reduce the amount of cheese you use and switch to low-fat sour cream and mayonnaise.

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Black Bean Burgers 
• Pioneer Woman Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pioneer Woman’s John Wayne Casserole Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 510.3
• Total Fat 35.1 g
• Saturated Fat 13.4 g
• Cholesterol 82 mg
• Sodium 616.1 mg
• Potassium 424.7 mg
• Total Carbohydrate 28.4 g
• Dietary Fiber 1.3 g
• Sugars 3.5 g
• Protein 20.9 g
• Vitamin A 16.9%
• Vitamin C 54.2%
• Calcium 23.6%
• Iron 9.3%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source