Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole

Get ready for a family-favorite meal with this incredible cattle drive casserole! This comforting, layered dish brings together robust, savory flavors with the convenience of an easy-to-follow recipe. It features a cheesy biscuit crust, a zesty ground beef filling, and a creamy, cheesy topping. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, this casserole is sure to become a staple in your home.

Why You’ll Love This Cattle Drive Casserole

You’ll quickly fall in love with this impressive cattle drive casserole for many reasons:

• It’s perfect for family dinners, satisfying everyone at the table.
• This casserole is incredibly hearty, filling, and deeply satisfying.
• Enjoy delicious Tex-Mex inspired flavors in every bite.
• It’s easy to customize, letting you adjust ingredients to your taste.
• This recipe truly is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for potlucks and gatherings.

Ingredients

Creating this amazing cattle drive casserole uses simple, accessible ingredients. Gather these items to get started on your delicious, layered masterpiece.

• 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (with seasoning packet)
• ¾ cup cold water (for biscuit mix)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ¼ cup water (for taco seasoning)
• 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
• 4 ounce can diced green chilies, undrained
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (divided use)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (optional, for topping)

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily adapt this casserole. If you don’t have Cheddar Bay mix, Bisquick or a homemade biscuit dough works well, or even a cornbread mix for a different twist. Feel free to use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef for a lighter version. For tomatoes, petite diced or Rotel (drained) are good alternatives. Substitute Colby Jack cheese with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend. Greek yogurt or crème fraîche can replace sour cream if needed.

Equipment

You won’t need many special tools to create this delightful dish. Just a few kitchen essentials will do the trick for your cattle drive casserole.

• 9×13-inch casserole dish
• Medium bowl
• Large skillet

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to assemble your flavorful cattle drive casserole. This recipe is designed to be beginner-friendly, ensuring a successful and delicious outcome.

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (including its seasoning packet) and ¾ cup cold water. Mix just until combined.
3. Spread the prepared biscuit dough evenly across the bottom of the sprayed casserole dish. If the dough feels too sticky, lightly spray your clean hands with cooking spray before spreading and gently pressing it down.
4. Bake the biscuit layer at 375°F for 5-8 minutes, just until the dough is set and slightly firm. Remove it from the oven and set it aside.
5. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground beef with 1 medium diced onion. Break up the meat as it browns.
6. Once the beef is fully cooked and browned, drain any excess grease from the skillet.
7. Stir in 1 packet taco seasoning, ¼ cup water, the drained 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and the undrained 4 ounce can diced green chilies.
8. Let the beef mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld.
9. Spread this flavorful beef mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit layer in the casserole dish.
10. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and 1 cup of the shredded Colby Jack cheese. Mix until well blended.
11. Carefully spread this creamy cheese topping evenly over the beef layer.
12. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the casserole.
13. Bake the cattle drive casserole for 30 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
14. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
15. Garnish with 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, if desired, then slice and enjoy!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Spreading sticky biscuit dough can be tricky; try spraying your hands with cooking spray or wetting them with water to prevent sticking. Always ensure your ground beef is fully browned and drained of excess grease before adding other ingredients to avoid a greasy casserole. For optimal food safety, it’s crucial to cook ground meat to its recommended internal temperature of 160°F. Adjust the spice level by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning and chilies, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat. To prevent a soggy biscuit crust, make sure the first bake sets the dough completely. For a beautifully golden, bubbly topping, you can finish the casserole under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile cattle drive casserole is perfect for customizing to your taste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this hearty meal with a crisp, fresh green salad for balance. It pairs wonderfully with grilled corn on the cob or other steamed vegetables. A side of crusty bread can also complement the rich flavors. Offer extra toppings like sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, a dollop of guacamole, or sliced black olives for garnish. Many of these toppings, like jalapeños and guacamole, are classic components, highlighting the elements of Tex-Mex culinary tradition.

Storage

Store any leftover cattle drive casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It remains delicious for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm larger portions in the oven at 300°F until heated through.

Variations

Get creative with your casserole! Add different vegetables to the beef mixture, like diced bell peppers or corn kernels. Incorporate beans such as refried beans (spread over the biscuit) or black beans into the beef filling. You can also experiment with different biscuit or cornbread crusts. Garnish with fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or green onions for a burst of freshness.

Nutrition

Enjoying this flavorful cattle drive casserole provides a satisfying meal with balanced nutrition.

FAQ

• Can I use a different biscuit mix or cornbread?

  Yes, you can substitute Bisquick or a cornbread mix for the Red Lobster mix. Just ensure you follow the package directions for preparation and adjust any seasonings as needed.

• What other toppings can I use?

  Feel free to add sliced jalapeños, fresh avocado, a dollop of guacamole, or black olives. These toppings enhance the Tex-Mex flavor profile beautifully.

• How can I adjust the heat level?

  Use mild or hot green chilies and taco seasoning to control the spice. For extra heat, sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes with the beef mixture.

• How long are leftovers good for?

  Leftovers of this hearty cattle drive casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them thoroughly before serving.

Conclusion

This hearty cattle drive casserole delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for any home cook. Its combination of a savory beef filling, creamy topping, and a cheesy biscuit crust guarantees a satisfying meal that everyone will love. We encourage you to try this amazing, family-friendly recipe soon. Let us know how much your family enjoys this simple yet delicious cattle drive casserole by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below!

Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole

This Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole features a savory ground beef and taco seasoning mixture with fire-roasted tomatoes and green chilies, layered over a cheesy biscuit base and topped with a creamy cheese blend. It's a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for a family dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Casserole

• 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix including the seasoning packet
• ¾ cup cold water for biscuit mix
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium medium onion diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ¼ cup water for taco seasoning
• 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes drained
• 4 ounce can diced green chilies undrained
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese divided use
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes for topping, optional

Equipment

• 9x13-inch casserole dish
• medium bowl
• large skillet
• small bowl

Method

 

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the biscuit mix, seasoning packet, and 3/4 cup cold water to form dough, then spread it evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
3. Bake the biscuit dough at 350°F for 5-8 minutes until just set, then remove from the oven and set aside.
4. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned, then drain any excess grease.
5. Stir in taco seasoning, 1/4 cup water, drained fire-roasted tomatoes, and undrained green chilies, then simmer for 2-3 minutes.
6. Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit layer in the casserole dish.
7. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese, then spread this mixture evenly over the beef layer.
8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the casserole.
9. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is melted and bubbly, then cool for 5 minutes and garnish with parsley flakes before serving.

Notes

For easier handling of the biscuit dough, spray your hands with cooking spray before spreading. Don't forget to let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving, and garnish with parsley if desired.