Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, layered dish that puts a bold twist on the classic John Wayne casserole with a Cheddar Bay Biscuit base. The salsa adds both flavor and texture to the seasoned beef layer, making every bite extra satisfying. It's an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner packed with comfort and big flavor.
Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Course
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: About 45 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 8 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory, cheesy, creamy with a Tex-Mex kick
- 🍚 Best Served With: Simple salad, rice, or steamed veggies
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, can be prepped ahead and refrigerated or frozen
Summarize and Save This Content On
I love making this as a quick weeknight meal because it's the kind of comfort food everyone looks forward to, and it's one of Ken's favorites. The name "cattle drive casserole" fits its bold, rustic, cowboy-style flavors, and it's closely connected to John Wayne casserole with a fun Cheddar Bay Biscuit twist. It's simple, satisfying, and always a hit at our table.
Some more delicious casserole dinners you should try are meatloaf casserole and easy meaty tater casserole.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a one-dish recipe: Besides browning the beef, this casserole is made in one pan. This makes clean-up extra quick and easy.
- It's great for a crowd: It's made in a 9x13, giving you plenty of servings for a crowd or gathering.
- It makes amazing leftovers: This beef casserole reheats wonderfully, so it makes delicious leftovers for lunch the next day.
Ingredients
The most important ingredients for these layers of the cattle drive beef casserole recipe are listed below.
- Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix: This is key to a crispy, cheesy base for the cattle drive ground beef casserole. If you enjoy Red Lobster foods, you need to try this Red Lobster pizza.
- Ground beef: I like 80% lean ground beef so it's not too greasy, but it still has enough fat to ensure plenty of flavor.
- Salsa: Any variety of chunky salsa is great in this recipe. The chunks of tomatoes and onions add texture to the casserole without putting in any extra effort.
- Mayonnaise: This adds a creamy, tangy flavor that also provides some moisture to the ground beef. If you like a tangier result, try Miracle Whip instead.
- Colby Jack cheese: You can use any variety of cheese you want, but I enjoy Colby Jack in this recipe. Some goes into the biscuit dough, and the rest will be sprinkled on top. Shred the cheese yourself so it melts easier, too!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken: Make a leaner version with ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
- Swap the cheese: Use shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Make it spicy: Use a spicy salsa or add chopped jalapenos (fresh or pickled) to add some heat.
- Add veggies: If you want more nutrition and texture, add ¼ cup each of corn, diced bell peppers, and black beans!
How to Make Cattle Drive Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375F and then generously spray your 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray before you get started on making the dish.
Step 1: Make the biscuit layer. Combine the biscuit mix with water and shredded Colby Jack. Then, spread the biscuit dough evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the beef mixture. Brown the ground beef and drain the extra grease. Then, stir in the taco seasoning and salsa.
Step 3: Layer the casserole. Add the beef mixture on top of the biscuit layer and then spread the mayonnaise and sour cream on top.
Step 4: Top with cheese and bake. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top and bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with creamy poblano sauce for an extra punch of flavor.
Expert Tips
- Grease your hands and spatula: Use a little oil on your hands and spatula to help spread the biscuit dough. This keeps it from sticking to you, so you can get as much into the pan as possible.
- Rest before serving: Allow the casserole to rest for about 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. It makes it much easier to serve because it helps everything hold together.
- Make it ahead: If you want, you can prepare this casserole up to 24 hours in advance, and store it covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake and serve it.
- Storage directions: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating the leftovers: Place an individual portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1-2 minutes. You may reheat it in a covered baking dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
A similar casserole to this cheddar bay biscuit casserole is this easy hobo casserole.
Serving Suggestions
- Refreshing side dishes: Prepare a light side like jalapeno coleslaw or a tossed garden salad to go with the cheddar bay biscuit casserole.
- Toppings: Use your favorite hot sauce, like Cholula or this homemade jalapeno hot sauce, as a topping. Even some fresh avocado is great!
- Dessert options: Finish the meal with some showstopping dessert tacos.
Cattle Drive Cassserole Recipe FAQs
It's a layered, comforting dish with a biscuit base, ground beef filling, and cheesy topping. It's similar to John Wayne casserole, but with a Red Lobster biscuit twist that adds buttery garlic flavor.
Of course you can. Any other biscuit mix would be great here. The buttery and cheesy garlic flavor of the bay biscuits is classic, but you can switch it up and make it your own.
It's ready to come out of the oven when the filling bubbles at the edges and the cheese is fully melted and starts to brown on top.
Sure, you can. Place it into a freezer-safe container and freeze it up to 4 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Delicious Ground Beef Recipes
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Cattle Drive Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13" casserole dish
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
Ingredients
- 1 box (11.3 oz) Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits A packet of seasoning from the box
- 2 lb ground beef 80/20
- ¾ cup water
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pkg (1 oz) taco seasoning packet
- 1 ½ cups chunky salsa
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups Colby Jack shredded, divided
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the biscuit layer. Prepare the biscuit mix in a large bowl by combining the mix with water and ½ cup colby jack cheese. Spread this mixture evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden in color.
- Prepare the meat layer. While the biscuit layer is baking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Sauté the onions in the butter until translucent. Add the garlic and ground beef, then brown the ground beef by flipping and breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add flavors. Once the ground beef is cooked, add the salsa and taco seasoning. Stir it together and remove it from the heat. Add the ground beef over the cooked biscuit layer and smooth it out to the sides. Set it aside.
- Make the creaming topping. Make the topping by combining the mayonnaise and sour cream with the flavor packet from the biscuit package. Mix it well and then smooth it over the top of the ground beef. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.
- Serve. Remove from the oven, garnish with parsley, and enjoy!
Notes
- Let the cattle drive casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking. This short rest time helps it set, making it easier to slice and serve neatly.
- You'll know the cattle drive casserole is done when the filling is bubbling around the edges, and the cheese is melted with a light golden brown on top.
- Lightly oil your hands and spatula before spreading the biscuit dough. This prevents sticking and helps you evenly press every bit into the pan.
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