Cattle Drive Casserole : A Family Favorite!

Name: Cattle Drive Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef; 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 Yellow Onion, chopped; 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix; 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (like Bisquick); 1 cup Water; Cooking Spray; ½ cup Sour Cream; ½ cup Mayonnaise; 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained; 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded and divided; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; ½ cup Salsa

Posted on January 1, 2026

Protein

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This hearty Cattle Drive Casserole comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Trust me, this dish is going to be your go-to recipe for busy nights; you’ll be amazed at how deliciously satisfying it is!

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients

Alright, before we dive into cooking, let’s get familiar with the ingredients we’ll need to make this Cattle Drive Casserole shine. Here’s how to get started:

Ingredients

1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef: This is the base of our casserole and adds rich flavor.
1 Red Bell Pepper: Seeded and chopped for that sweet crunch!
1 Yellow Onion: Chopped, think aromatic goodness that fills your kitchen.
1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix: For tons of flavor and authentic taco vibes.
2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix: Like Bisquick; this will form the comforting, flaky topping.
1 cup Water: Just enough to mix in with our biscuit dough.
Cooking Spray: Like Pam, for easy cleanup.
½ cup Sour Cream: For creaminess, who doesn’t love a little tang?
½ cup Mayonnaise: Yup, this makes it richer and oh-so-delicious.
4 ounces Diced Green Chiles: Drained, adds a subtle kick that’s so nice!
1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend: Shredded and divided; cheese makes everything better.
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Because garlic is life, honestly.
½ cup Salsa: Mild, but feel free to kick it up a notch if you like more heat!

As you can see, these are pretty standard, everyday ingredients, that’s the beauty of this recipe. It’s super budget-friendly and can easily accommodate whatever you have in your pantry.

Here’s How It’s Done

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get cooking! You’re gonna love how simple this is.

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350℉. This way, we’re ready to bake as soon as we assemble our casserole!

2. Cook the Ground Beef

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add your ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon, letting it brown until it’s no longer pink about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don’t forget to drain off any excess fat; we want to keep this dish delicious without being overly greasy!

3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough

While your beef is cooking, grab a medium mixing bowl and combine your biscuit mix and water. Stir until it’s mixed well, using your hands here works wonders! Spray your casserole dish with cooking spray (this saves a ton of elbow grease later) and press the dough into the dish, spreading it evenly all the way to the edges. Pop this in the preheated oven for about 5-8 minutes or until set and lightly golden. Keep the oven on!

4. Cook the Vegetables

Add that aromatic chopped onion and red bell pepper into the beef mixture. Stir it all together and let it cook for about 4 minutes, until the veggies are tender and the onions are translucent. Oh, and the smell? Seriously comforting! Just wait until you smell the garlic powder and taco seasoning going in next!

5. Season It Up

Once the veggies are tender, sprinkle in your taco seasoning mix and give it a good stir until everything is combined and fragrant. Remove this from the heat and get ready for layering!

6. Assemble the Layers

Now, take your baked biscuit layer, we’re layering our cooked ground beef mixture evenly on top of it. You’ll want to make sure every inch is covered; that’s what makes it so good!

7. Blend the Creamy Layer

In another bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, diced green chiles, ¾ cup of that delightful shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and carefully spread this mixture over the ground beef layer. It’ll be creamy and irresistible.

8. Add Salsa and Cheese

Spoon small dollops of salsa over the sour cream layer. No need to spread it, let it do its thing! Finally, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese all over the top. Just picture the gooey, melted goodness waiting to happen!

9. Bake to Perfection

Pop the casserole back in the oven, uncovered, and bake for about 30 minutes or until it’s hot, bubbly, and golden brown. Your whole house will smell AMAZING!

Why I Love This Recipe

This Cattle Drive Casserole is definitely my go-to recipe for busy weeknights. I mean, who hasn’t had those days when you’re juggling a million things and need a comforting, hearty meal on the table stat? I’ve made this for friends and family, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser!

And honestly? I’m a real sucker for anything that can be customized. You can throw in whatever you’ve got hanging out in the fridge, and it still turns out delicious. Last week, I tossed in some leftover rotisserie chicken, and have I mentioned my kids actually asked for seconds? Yes, it happens!

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Honey Lemon Salmon, my Panera Chicken Salad, or my Easy Pizza Burger!

What Makes This Recipe Special

Quick & Easy

This dish comes together all in one pot, which means less time for you in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal with family!

Budget-Friendly

Using affordable, everyday ingredients makes this not just delicious but easy on your wallet.

Crowd-Pleaser

Loaded with tons of flavor, this casserole is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Seriously, kids just can’t resist that cheesy goodness!

Make-Ahead Friendly

You can whip it up ahead of time! Assemble everything until the baking step, refrigerate it, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready.

Comfort Food

This casserole delivers warmth and comfort in every bite. It’s like a warm hug in food form!

The Best Ways to Enjoy This

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs well with a light salad or some crispy garlic bread. It’s also fantastic on its own, just serve it straight out of the oven, any way you want!

Storage

Leftovers store beautifully in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat in the microwave for a couple of minutes, stirring halfway through, or warm it up in the oven at 350℉ until heated all the way through.

Freezer Friendly

Yes! You can freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it well with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.

Healthy Tip:

Want to lighten it up? Try swapping out the ground beef for lean turkey or even adding in some extra veggies for a nutrition boost without sacrificing flavor!

Don’t you just love how comforting and flexible this Cattle Drive Casserole is? It’s far too easy to get stuck in a cooking rut, but with recipes like this, you’ll always have a delicious option up your sleeve.

So, go on, give this recipe a try! I promise you, once you taste it, you’ll be making it on repeat, and wondering why you ever cooked any other way! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.