Cattle Drive Casserole

why make this recipe

This casserole is simple and filling. It uses ground beef, a quick biscuit base, and a creamy cheese layer. It cooks in one dish and feeds a family easily. It works for weeknights, potlucks, or when you want a warm comfort meal.

introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole mixes savory beef with a soft biscuit crust and a creamy, cheesy middle. The recipe uses common pantry items and cooks in about an hour. It has mild taco flavor and a little salsa on top for a bright touch.

how to make Cattle Drive Casserole

1. Brown the ground beef and drain the fat.
2. Mix biscuit dough and press it into a sprayed 9 x 13″ dish. Par-bake the dough until set.
3. Cook chopped onion and bell pepper with the beef and taco seasoning.
4. Spread the beef mix over the baked biscuit layer.
5. Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, cheese, and garlic powder. Spread this over the beef.
6. Spoon salsa in small dollops over the sour cream layer and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
7. Bake until hot and bubbly.

Ingredients

Equipment:

• Large skillet
• 2 Medium mixing bowls
• 9 x 13″ casserole dish

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
• 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
• 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick
• 1 cup Water
• Cooking Spray, like 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

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring now and then. Drain off extra fat. (While the meat cooks, make the biscuit dough.)
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well mixed. Use your hands if needed. Spray the casserole dish with cooking spray. Press the dough into the dish and spread to the edges. Bake 5–8 minutes, until set and lightly golden. Keep the oven on.
4. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked beef. Stir and cook about 4 minutes. Add the taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.
5. Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer.
6. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth. Carefully spread this over the beef layer.
7. Add small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer (you do not need to spread it). Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
8. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

how to serve Cattle Drive Casserole

• Cut into squares and serve hot.
• Offer chips, sour cream, extra salsa, or chopped cilantro on the side.
• Serve with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

how to store Cattle Drive Casserole

• To refrigerate: Cool to room temperature, cover tightly, and store up to 3–4 days.
• To reheat: Warm in the oven at 350℉ until heated through, or microwave individual portions.
• To freeze: Freeze baked casserole in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

tips to make Cattle Drive Casserole

• Drain the beef well to avoid a soggy casserole.
• Press biscuit dough evenly so the base bakes the same all over.
• Use mild salsa for less heat, or medium for more kick.
• Let the casserole rest 5–10 minutes after baking to make cutting easier.
• You can swap mayo for plain Greek yogurt to lighten the dish.

variation (if any)

• Make it spicy: use hot salsa and add diced jalapeños.
• Add beans: black beans or kidney beans mix well with the beef.
• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Top with corn chips before baking for a crunchy finish.
• Change the cheese: pepper jack adds heat, Monterey jack keeps it mild.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead and bake later?
A: Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready.

Q: Can I use fresh biscuits instead of biscuit mix?
A: You can, but texture may change. Follow biscuit dough directions and press into the dish before par-baking.

Q: Is this dish freezer-friendly?
A: Yes. Bake first, cool, then freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven.

Q: Can I skip the mayonnaise?
A: Yes. Use extra sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead for a similar texture.

Q: How can I make it lower in fat?
A: Use lean ground turkey, low-fat sour cream, and reduced-fat cheese.

Conclusion

If you want more versions and pictures of Cattle Drive Casserole, see a classic take at Cattle Drive Casserole – The Country Cook. For another recipe layout and tips, check Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe | 24Bite® Recipes. For a home cook’s note and variations, visit Cattle Drive Casserole – In the Kitchen with Momma Mel. If you like a cheesy version, this page shows a rich take: Cheesy Cattle Drive Casserole | 12 Tomatoes. For another clear recipe and step notes, review Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe.

Cattle Drive Casserole

A hearty casserole featuring savory beef, a biscuit crust, and a creamy cheese layer, perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Beef Mixture

• 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef Brown and drain fat
• 1 Red Bell Pepper seeded, chopped Adds flavor and color
• 1 Yellow Onion chopped Sauté for sweetness
• 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix For flavor

For the Biscuit Base

• 2.5 cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick Use for the base crust
• 1 cup Water To mix with biscuit mix
• Cooking Spray like Pam For greasing the casserole dish

For the Cheese Layer

• ½ cup Sour Cream Adds creaminess
• ½ cup Mayonnaise Can substitute with Greek yogurt
• 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained For a mild heat
• 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded Divided for layering
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder For added flavor
• ½ cup Salsa, mild For topping

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 350℉.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Drain off extra fat.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well mixed. Spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Press the biscuit dough into the dish and spread to the edges. Bake for 5–8 minutes, until set and lightly golden. Keep the oven on.

Cooking

• Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked beef. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.
• Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the baked biscuit layer.
• In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and carefully spread this over the beef layer.
• Add small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
• Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Drain the beef well to avoid a soggy casserole. Press biscuit dough evenly for consistent baking. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to make cutting easier.

Keyword Beef Casserole, Biscuit Casserole, Casserole, Cattle Drive Casserole, comfort food