Oven Baked John Wayne Casserole

There are some casseroles that just feel like they belong in a busy family kitchen, and this Oven Baked 5-Ingredient John Wayne Casserole is one of them. Hearty, cheesy, creamy and loaded with the kind of Tex-Mex-inspired flavour that has everyone rushing to the table.

I love the simplicity of this version. No long list of groceries to buy or a bunch of different pans. Just a few simple everyday ingredients layered then the oven turns them into a bubbling casserole with a golden cheesy topping.

It’s the kind of dinner that works beautifully for a busy weeknight, but has enough comfort-food appeal for a weekend family meal, too.

What You’ll Love About This John Wayne Casserole

• 5 main ingredients only
• Easy oven baked preparation
• Robust ground beef filling
• Cheesy creamy topping
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Comfort food for the family
• Makes tasty leftovers

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chillies, undrained 1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 can (16 oz.) refrigerated biscuits

How to Make 5-Ingredient John Wayne Casserole Baked In Oven

1. Cook the beef

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Continue to cook until no pink remains.
• Drain out any excess grease.
• Add the diced tomatoes with green chillies and let it warm through for couple of minutes.

2. Prepare the cream layer

• In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
• Let the cream cheese come to room temperature a bit before mixing the casserole, so it will be easier to do.

3. Assemble the casserole

• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly.
• Place the chilled biscuits over the bottom of the dish, lightly pressing together to form a base.
• Spoon beef mixture over biscuit layer; top with tomatoes.
• Spoon the softened cream cheese over the beef and spread into an even layer as much as possible.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly on top.

4. Cook until golden brown and bubbly.

• Cover with a lid and place in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the biscuits are cooked and the cheese is melted and golden.
• If the cheese is browning too fast before the biscuit base is cooked, cover the top loosely with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

5. Chill before serving

• Remove casserole from the oven and let stand for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• This rests the creamy layers and facilitates easier slicing and serving of the casserole.

What Is John Wayne Casserole?

1. John Wayne casserole is a favourite American casserole-style dish that is built around layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy ingredients, cheese and a biscuit-style crust. There is no one version that works for everyone, as recipes vary greatly.
2. This five-ingredient recipe focuses on the basic concept, but makes the prep especially easy.

What to Serve With

• This casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own so simple sides are best.
• A simple tomato salad, a crisp green salad, steamed green beans or roasted corn can add a little freshness to the meal.
• For a more casual, Tex-Mex-inspired dinner, serve it with tortilla chips and a bit of salsa.

Can I do this in advance?

1. Yes. You can make the beef filling and the creamy layer ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator.
2. You want to assemble the casserole just before it is going into the oven for the best texture in the biscuit topping, not waiting hours for the uncooked biscuit dough to sit in the dish.
3. Cooked leftovers should be refrigerated in covered containers for 3 to 4 days.
4. To reheat individual portions, heat in the oven or microwave until hot.

Simple Ways to Switch It Up

If you’re not strictly trying to keep it five ingredients, there are a lot of extras that work well.

At serving time, you can add chopped green onions, sliced jalapeños, black olives or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavour.

You can use Monterey Jack or a cheddar-Monterey Jack blend in place of regular cheddar, too.

A Simple Cheesy Casserole for Busy Evenings

This Oven Baked 5-Ingredient John Wayne Casserole is everything you want in a comforting family dinner. Savoury ground beef, creamy cheese, melted cheddar and a warm biscuit base.

There are only five main ingredients and one baking pan, so dinner stays simple without sacrificing that hearty, homemade feeling. Serve with a crisp salad or favourite vegetable and you have an easy meal that should be in your regular weeknight rotation.