Description
Whipping up John Wayne Casserole brings pure Texas-style comfort straight to your dinner table. Hearty ground beef, zesty peppers, and cheesy layers create a crowd-pleasing meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 package taco seasoning
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Tomatoes and Garnish:
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups tortilla chips, crushed
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to a precise 350°F, ensuring the rack sits in the center for even heating.
- Grab a large skillet and sizzle 1 lb ground beef with 1 chopped onion over medium heat until meat browns completely.
- Drain every drop of excess fat from the skillet, then sprinkle 1 packet of taco seasoning into the meat.
- Pour in 1 can of cream of mushroom soup and 1 can of diced tomatoes, stirring until the mixture looks glossy and well-combined.
- Whisk 1 cup sour cream with ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese in a separate bowl until smooth.
- Crush 2 cups of tortilla chips and spread half across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Carefully ladle the seasoned beef mixture directly over the first chip layer.
- Dollop the sour cream and cheese blend evenly across the beef layer.
- Scatter remaining tortilla chips on top, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese for a crispy, golden finish.
- Slide the casserole into the 350°F oven and bake for 22 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to make the casserole lighter and more diet-friendly.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking so the layers set and become easier to serve without falling apart.
- For extra crunch, toast the tortilla chips briefly in the oven before layering to enhance their texture and flavor.
- Salt and pepper the beef mixture to taste, as taco seasoning can sometimes lack depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 573 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg