John Wayne Casserole

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This John Wayne Casserole doesn’t whisper comfort food — it yells it from the oven. We’re talking layers of seasoned ground beef, a creamy, cheesy sauce, and a golden Bisquick biscuit topping that’s downright impossible to resist.

If my Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler and Cowboy Casserole had a baby, this would be it — hearty, melty, a little messy, and completely over the top in the best way. It’s the definition of weeknight comfort food chaos (the good kind).

Why this Recipe is a Winner!

• Super Easy to Make – With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this is a foolproof recipe even beginner cooks can master. Just brown the beef, layer the ingredients, and let the oven do the rest!
• Easy to Customize – Make it your own! Swap ground beef for sausage or shredded chicken, add bell peppers or jalapeños for a kick, or mix in black beans and corn for a Tex-Mex twist.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Assemble it in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake!

Why is it Called John Wayne Casserole?

• John Wayne Casserole is named after the legendary actor John Wayne because of his connection to the recipe.
• The story goes that in 1979, Wayne contributed a casserole recipe to a cookbook benefiting the American Cancer Society.
• While the original version was different from the one commonly made today, it inspired what we now call “John Wayne Casserole”—a hearty, layered dish packed with bold flavors, much like the strong, rugged characters Wayne played on screen.

This casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or casual family dinners.

With just a few simple ingredients — ground beef, taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, corn, Bisquick mix, and cheese — you can have dinner on the table in about an hour.

Plus, it’s make-ahead friendly: assemble it in advance, cover it, refrigerate overnight, and bake when ready.

This dish serves about six people, making it ideal for families or leftovers. Pair it with a side like my Roasted Broccoli or a simple salad, and you’ve got a complete, hearty meal.

Leftovers reheat beautifully, so you can enjoy this cheesy, ground beef casserole again the next day without any extra work.

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 cups water
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 20 oz Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
• 12 oz canned corn, drained

Biscuit Layer

• 3 cups Bisquick mix

Topping

• 7.5 oz Philadelphia whipped chive cream cheese
• ½ cup mayo
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

I crumbled the ground beef well as it cooked.

Then I added some water and taco seasoning to the pan with the ground beef.

After four minutes, I added some diced onions, two cans of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies and some canned corn to the pan with the ground beef.

Then I poured some Bisquick mix into a large mixing bowl.

Then I stirred until a sticky dough formed.

Then I scooped the ground beef mixture on top of the dough and spread it out evenly.

Then I added some garlic powder and salt to the bowl.

I used an electric mixer to cream together the mayo and cream cheese until smooth.

I sprinkled some shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture.

After 40 minutes I removed the casserole from the oven and left it to sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

If you think casseroles are boring, think again. This John Wayne Casserole is cheesy, beefy, and just a little ridiculous — in a good way.

Mix it up with chicken, sausage, or extra spice if you dare. Fans of easy weeknight dinners also love Taco Pasta Casserole and Mexican Cornbread Casserole.

How should I store this casserole?

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat thoroughly before serving.

What substitutions could I make?

• Ground Beef: Any ground meat could be used in this recipe including ground turkey, ground chicken and ground pork.
• Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese: You can experiment with different types of cheese such as Havarti, Swiss or Monterey Jack to suit your taste.
• Cream Cheese and Mayo: Instead of cream cheese and mayo you can use sour cream, plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt as a substitute. They provide a similar creamy tang to the dish.
• Canned Corn: Feel free to add or swap vegetables based on your preferences. You can include diced bell peppers, peas, carrots, zucchini, or any other vegetables you enjoy.

Heads up — swapping ingredients will change the flavor and texture a bit, so have fun experimenting and find what hits your taste buds just right.

More Ground Beef Casserole Recipes You’ll Love…

• Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
• Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole
• French Onion Ground Beef Casserole
• Cheesy Ranch Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
• Ground Beef and Broccoli Casserole
• Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef
• Doritos Casserole with Ground Beef
• Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler
• Ground Beef Casserole
• Ground Beef Quesadilla Casserole

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