Cheesy Cattle Drive Comfort Casserole

introduction

Cattle Drive Casserole is a warm, simple dish with beef, biscuits, and cheese. It cooks in one pan and a 9 x 13" dish. This recipe is easy to make for a family night. For a quick reference, you can also see an easy cattle drive casserole recipe with photos.

why make this recipe

• It is fast and fills a family.
• It uses common pantry items.
• Kids and adults like the cheesy, mild flavors.
• You can make it ahead and bake later.

how to make Cattle Drive Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up and stir until no pink remains. Drain fat. (Make the biscuit dough while the meat cooks.)
3. Mix biscuit mix with water in a bowl until combined. Press into a sprayed 9 x 13" dish. Bake 5–8 minutes until set and light gold. Keep oven on.
4. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked beef. Cook about 4 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and remove from heat.
5. Spread the beef mixture over the baked biscuit layer.
6. In a medium bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, 3/4 cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Spread this over the beef layer.
7. Spoon small bits of salsa over the sour cream layer. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese on top.
8. Bake uncovered 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

This method is similar in style to other layered casseroles like a bacon cheeseburger casserole if you want ideas for other flavors.

Ingredients :

Equipment: Large skillet, 2 Medium mixing bowls, 9 x 13″ casserole dish, Cooking spray

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 :

Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350℉.

Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a 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 any excess fat. (While the meat cooks, you can prepare the biscuit dough.)

Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well mixed, ideally using your hands for thorough blending. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and press the dough into the dish, spreading it out to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, or until the dough is set and lightly golden. Set aside, but keep the oven on.

Cook the Vegetables: Add chopped onions and red bell pepper to the cooked ground beef. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Remove from heat.

Assemble the Layers: Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly on top of the baked biscuit layer.

Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture over the ground beef layer.

Add Salsa and Cheese: Add small spoonfuls of salsa over the sour cream layer (no need to spread it out). Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top.

Bake: Place the casserole back in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

how to serve Cattle Drive Casserole

• Let rest 5 minutes before cutting.
• Serve warm in squares.
• Add chopped cilantro or green onions if you like.
• Offer extra salsa or sour cream on the side.

how to store Cattle Drive Casserole

• Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate up to 3–4 days.
• Reheat single portions in the microwave for 1–2 minutes until hot.
• Freeze baked casserole in an airtight container up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight and reheat in oven at 350℉ until warm.

tips to make Cattle Drive Casserole

• Drain the cooked beef well so the casserole is not greasy.
• Press the biscuit dough thin so it bakes through.
• Use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt to cut calories.
• For a bigger batch, double ingredients and use a larger dish.
• If you like more spice, use medium salsa or add chopped jalapeño.
• For more casserole ideas, see a simple beef hash brown casserole that also uses layers.

variation (if any)

• Make with ground turkey for a lighter version.
• Add corn or black beans to the beef layer for extra texture.
• Use plain biscuit dough or add shredded cheese into the dough for a richer crust.
• Top with crushed tortilla chips for crunch.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen biscuit dough?
A: Yes. Thaw slightly then press into the dish and par-bake the same way.

Q: Can I skip the mayonnaise?
A: Yes. Replace with extra sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: You can assemble up to the step before baking, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours. Bake when ready.

Q: Do I have to drain the green chiles?
A: Yes. Drain so the creamy layer stays thick.

Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: It is mild as written. Use spicy taco mix or salsa to add heat.

Conclusion

This casserole is an easy, family-friendly meal that fills plates and warms the house. For another full version and notes, check the original recipe at the Country Cook’s Cattle Drive Casserole recipe.

Cattle Drive Casserole

A warm and simple layered casserole with beef, biscuits, and cheese that's perfect for family night.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 500

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meat and Vegetables

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

Biscuit Base

• 2.5 cups Biscuit Mix, like Bisquick
• 1 cup Water
• Cooking Spray, like Pam For greasing the dish

Creamy Layer

• 0.5 cup Sour Cream
• 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
• 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
• 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided 3/4 cup for mixing, rest for topping
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Toppings

• 0.5 cup Salsa, mild

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix with water until a dough forms. Press the dough into a greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Bake for 5-8 minutes until set and lightly golden.

Cooking

1. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper to the cooked beef, cooking for about 4 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and remove from heat.
2. Spread the beef mixture over the baked biscuit layer.
3. In a medium bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Spread this mixture over the beef layer.
4. Spoon small bits of salsa over the sour cream layer. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before cutting into squares. Add chopped cilantro or green onions for added flavor and serve with extra salsa or sour cream on the side. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.