Cattle Drive Casserole – An Easy, Cheesy, Beefy Weeknight Dinner the Whole Family Will Love

🎉 Introduction
Looking for a dinner that’s comforting, flavorful, filling, and super easy to make? Meet your new favorite go-to: the Cattle Drive Casserole! This all-in-one meal is packed with seasoned ground beef, a kick of chiles, a fluffy biscuit base, and melted cheese on top — it’s the casserole version of a Tex-Mex comfort food dream.

Think of it like a layered beefy bake, combining classic taco flavors with the richness of sour cream and mayonnaise, plus a hearty biscuit crust that holds everything together. It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and ideal for feeding a hungry crowd on busy weeknights.

🧰 Equipment Needed

Before diving into this hearty dish, grab the following tools:

• 9×13-inch casserole dish
• Large skillet
• Two medium mixing bowls
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cooking spray

🍽️ Tip: Prep and cook the beef layer while your oven preheats to save time.

🛒 Ingredients

🍖 Meat

• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

🧅 Produce

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 4 oz can diced green chiles
• 1 tsp garlic powder

🧂 Spices & Seasonings

• 1 oz taco seasoning mix (or 2 tbsp homemade blend)

🌶️ Condiments

• 1/2 cup salsa (mild or medium)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

🧀 Dairy

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream

🥣 Baking & Base

• 2 1/2 cups biscuit mix (like Bisquick)
• 1 cup water

🧈 Cooking Fats

• Cooking spray, for greasing the pan

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spray your 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook:
  • Ground beef
  • Chopped onion
  • Diced red bell pepper
• Cook until meat is browned and veggies are softened (about 8–10 minutes).
• Drain any excess fat.

Step 3: Season & Add Extras

• Stir in:
  • Taco seasoning
  • Green chiles
  • Salsa
  • Garlic powder
• Simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
• Remove from heat and let slightly cool.

Step 4: Make the Biscuit Base

• In a medium bowl, mix:
  • 2 1/2 cups biscuit mix
  • 1 cup water
• Stir until just combined.
• Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish to create the crust.

Step 5: Assemble the Layers

• Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the biscuit layer.
• In another bowl, combine:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sour cream
• Spread this creamy layer over the meat.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

• Sprinkle cheddar cheese generously over the top.

Step 7: Bake

• Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 8: Serve

• Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
• Garnish with extra salsa, jalapeños, or chopped green onions if desired.

🥄 Serving Suggestion: Pair with a green salad or some Mexican-style street corn for a complete meal.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: ~50 minutes

Ideal for weeknight family dinners, potlucks, or freezer-friendly meal prep.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

• Freeze fully baked casserole (or leftovers) for up to 2 months.
• Wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Label and date.

Reheating

• Reheat in the microwave in 60-second bursts or in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.

🥄 Variations

Customize your Cattle Drive Casserole to suit your family’s preferences:

• 🌽 Add Corn – Mix in 1/2 cup corn kernels for a pop of sweetness.
• 🌶️ Make It Spicy – Use hot salsa and add jalapeños or cayenne.
• 🫘 Bean Boost – Stir in black beans or refried beans with the beef.
• 🥬 Vegetable Version – Replace beef with lentils or plant-based meat.
• 🍠 Southwest Twist – Add roasted sweet potatoes or chipotle seasoning.
• 🧀 Cheese Lovers’ Edition – Use pepper jack or a cheddar blend for more melt and flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything and refrigerate it (unbaked) for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.

2. What if I don’t have biscuit mix?
Use 2 1/2 cups of homemade biscuit mix: 2 cups flour + 1 tbsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 cup butter.

3. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely — ground turkey or chicken both work well.

4. What salsa is best?
A chunky, mild or medium salsa works best for balance. Avoid watery salsas.

5. Can I freeze it before baking?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze after baking for better texture.

6. Can I use low-fat sour cream and mayo?
Yes — it slightly lightens the dish without sacrificing flavor.

7. What veggies pair well with this dish?
Try sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach added to the beef layer.

8. Can I make it in a smaller pan?
Yes, halve the recipe and bake in an 8×8-inch dish.

9. What sides go well with this?
Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole, or a fresh tomato cucumber salad.

10. Can I omit the cheese?
You can, but the cheese brings richness and helps the top brown. Try dairy-free cheese if needed.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cattle Drive Casserole is easy, hearty, and packed with flavor — everything you want from a family-style comfort meal. It’s loaded with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, a soft biscuit base, and just the right hint of Tex-Mex kick.

Perfect for busy weeknights, leftovers for lunch, or freezing for a future meal, this casserole is guaranteed to become part of your regular dinner rotation. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s a classic that’s here to stay.

Adam

Cattle Drive Casserole – An Easy, Cheesy, Beefy Weeknight Dinner the Whole Family Will Love

Looking for a dinner that’s comforting, flavorful, filling, and super easy to make? Meet your new favorite go-to: the Cattle Drive Casserole! This all-in-one meal is packed with seasoned ground beef, a kick of chiles, a fluffy biscuit base, and melted cheese on top — it’s the casserole version of a Tex-Mex comfort food dream. Think of it like a layered beefy bake, combining classic taco flavors with the richness of sour cream and mayonnaise, plus a hearty biscuit crust that holds everything together. It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and ideal for feeding a hungry crowd on busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍖 Meat

• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

🧅 Produce

• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 4 oz can diced green chiles
• 1 tsp garlic powder

🧂 Spices & Seasonings

• 1 oz taco seasoning mix or 2 tbsp homemade blend

🌶️ Condiments

• 1/2 cup salsa mild or medium
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

🧀 Dairy

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream

🥣 Baking & Base

• 2 1/2 cups biscuit mix like Bisquick
• 1 cup water

🧈 Cooking Fats

• Cooking spray for greasing the pan

Equipment

• Before diving into this hearty dish, grab the following tools:
• 9×13-inch casserole dish
• Large skillet
• Two medium mixing bowls
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cooking spray
• 🍽️ Tip: Prep and cook the beef layer while your oven preheats to save time.

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spray your 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook:
2. Ground beef
3. Chopped onion
4. Diced red bell pepper
5. Cook until meat is browned and veggies are softened (about 8–10 minutes).
6. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3: Season & Add Extras

1. Stir in:
2. Taco seasoning
3. Green chiles
4. Salsa
5. Garlic powder
6. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
7. Remove from heat and let slightly cool.

Step 4: Make the Biscuit Base

1. In a medium bowl, mix:
2. 2 1/2 cups biscuit mix
3. 1 cup water
4. Stir until just combined.
5. Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish to create the crust.

Step 5: Assemble the Layers

1. Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the biscuit layer.
2. In another bowl, combine:
3. Mayonnaise
4. Sour cream
5. Spread this creamy layer over the meat.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

1. Sprinkle cheddar cheese generously over the top.

Step 7: Bake

1. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 8: Serve

1. Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
2. Garnish with extra salsa, jalapeños, or chopped green onions if desired.

🥄 Serving Suggestion: Pair with a green salad or some Mexican-style street corn for a complete meal.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer
Freeze fully baked casserole (or leftovers) for up to 2 months.

Wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Label and date.

Reheating
Reheat in the microwave in 60-second bursts or in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes.

🥄 Variations

Customize your Cattle Drive Casserole to suit your family’s preferences:

🌽 Add Corn – Mix in 1/2 cup corn kernels for a pop of sweetness.

🌶️ Make It Spicy – Use hot salsa and add jalapeños or cayenne.

🫘 Bean Boost – Stir in black beans or refried beans with the beef.

🥬 Vegetable Version – Replace beef with lentils or plant-based meat.

🍠 Southwest Twist – Add roasted sweet potatoes or chipotle seasoning.

🧀 Cheese Lovers’ Edition – Use pepper jack or a cheddar blend for more melt and flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything and refrigerate it (unbaked) for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.

2. What if I don’t have biscuit mix?
Use 2 1/2 cups of homemade biscuit mix: 2 cups flour + 1 tbsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 cup butter.

3. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely — ground turkey or chicken both work well.

4. What salsa is best?
A chunky, mild or medium salsa works best for balance. Avoid watery salsas.

5. Can I freeze it before baking?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze after baking for better texture.

6. Can I use low-fat sour cream and mayo?
Yes — it slightly lightens the dish without sacrificing flavor.

7. What veggies pair well with this dish?
Try sautéed zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach added to the beef layer.

8. Can I make it in a smaller pan?
Yes, halve the recipe and bake in an 8×8-inch dish.

9. What sides go well with this?
Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole, or a fresh tomato cucumber salad.

10. Can I omit the cheese?
You can, but the cheese brings richness and helps the top brown. Try dairy-free cheese if needed.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cattle Drive Casserole is easy, hearty, and packed with flavor — everything you want from a family-style comfort meal. It’s loaded with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, a soft biscuit base, and just the right hint of Tex-Mex kick.

Perfect for busy weeknights, leftovers for lunch, or freezing for a future meal, this casserole is guaranteed to become part of your regular dinner rotation. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s a classic that’s here to stay.