John Wayne Casserole Recipe

Ground beef: Provides the main protein and savory flavor for the casserole.

Taco seasoning: Adds a spicy and flavorful kick to the ground beef.

Sour cream: Contributes to the creamy layer, balancing the spices.

Mayonnaise: Adds richness and creaminess to the sour cream mixture.

Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheese that melts and adds a cheesy layer.

Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Provides a tangy and slightly spicy element.

Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor when chopped and layered.

Bell pepper: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh taste.

Gluten-free bisquick mix: Forms the base layer of the casserole, making it gluten-free.

Milk: Combines with the bisquick mix to create a batter.

Eggs: Helps bind the bisquick mixture and adds richness.

When mixing the bisquick mix with milk and eggs, ensure that you whisk until there are no lumps for a smooth base layer. This will help the casserole bake evenly and create a consistent texture throughout.

• Ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• Taco seasoning - Substitute with homemade taco seasoning: Homemade taco seasoning can be made with gluten-free spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano to ensure it is gluten-free.

• Sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative that provides a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor.

• Mayonnaise - Substitute with avocado mayo: Avocado mayo is a healthier, gluten-free option that offers a similar creamy consistency.

• Cheddar cheese - Substitute with Daiya cheddar-style shreds: Daiya cheddar-style shreds are a dairy-free, gluten-free alternative that melts well and has a similar flavor.

• Diced tomatoes with green chilies - Substitute with fresh tomatoes and green chilies: Fresh tomatoes and green chilies can be chopped and mixed to provide a fresher, gluten-free alternative.

• Onion - Substitute with green onions: Green onions offer a milder flavor and can be used as a direct substitute in the same quantity.

• Bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers provide a slightly different flavor with a bit more heat, adding a unique twist to the dish.

• Gluten-free Bisquick mix - Substitute with almond flour and baking powder: Almond flour combined with baking powder can create a similar texture and is a great gluten-free alternative.

• Milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free, gluten-free alternative that works well in baking and cooking.

• Eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs (made from ground flaxseed and water) are a vegan, gluten-free alternative that can bind ingredients similarly to regular eggs.

• Allow the John Wayne Casserole to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the casserole to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• Store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the casserole. Cut it into individual portions for easier reheating.
• Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place the wrapped portions in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn.
• Label the freezer-safe bag or container with the date and contents.
• The casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the thawed casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
• Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the John Wayne Casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out, and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. The cheddar cheese should be melted and bubbly again.
• If you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Place a portion of the casserole on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes. Check and stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
• For a crispier top, use a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C), place a portion of the casserole on a toaster oven-safe tray, and heat for about 15-20 minutes. The cheddar cheese should be nicely melted and the edges slightly crispy.
• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place a portion of the casserole in the air fryer basket, ensuring it's not overcrowded, and heat for about 10-12 minutes. This method will give you a crispy top layer while keeping the inside moist.
• For stovetop reheating, place a portion of the casserole in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cover with a lid and heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. This method works well if you want to avoid using the oven or microwave.

• Skillet: Used to cook and brown the ground beef.

• Mixing bowl: Needed to combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded cheese.

• Mixing bowl: Another one is required to mix the bisquick mix, milk, and eggs.

• Spatula: Handy for stirring and spreading mixtures.

• Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out the sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, bisquick mix, and milk.

• Measuring spoons: Useful for measuring the taco seasoning if not using a pre-measured packet.

• Can opener: Needed to open the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies.

• Chopping board: Used for chopping the onions and bell peppers.

• Knife: Essential for chopping the onions and bell peppers.

• Baking dish: Used to layer and bake the casserole.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) for baking the casserole.

• Grater: Used to shred the cheddar cheese if not using pre-shredded cheese.

• Colander: Useful for draining excess fat from the cooked ground beef.

• Oven mitts: Important for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Chop onions and bell peppers in advance. Pre-measure sour cream, mayonnaise, and cheese.

Use pre-cooked beef: Opt for pre-cooked ground beef to skip the browning step.

Mix dry ingredients early: Combine bisquick mix, milk, and eggs ahead of time.

Layer efficiently: Arrange all components in the order they will be used to streamline the layering process.

Preheat oven in advance: Ensure the oven is at the right temperature before starting.