Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty Tex-Mex-inspired casserole made with seasoned ground beef, a layer of cornbread, creamy sour cream, and shredded cheese, offering a delicious and comforting meal.
Ingredients
- For the Casserole:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) sweet corn, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 package (8.5 oz) cornbread mix (plus ingredients to prepare, as per package directions)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- For the Topping (optional):
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Extra shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water, simmering for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
- Add the diced green chilies, kidney beans, and corn to the beef mixture and stir to combine.
- Prepare the cornbread batter according to package instructions. Typically, this involves adding eggs, milk, and oil, then mixing until combined.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Pour the cornbread batter evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden and cooked through, and the cheese is melted. Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Spread sour cream over the baked casserole or serve with a dollop of sour cream on individual servings.
- Optional: Top with sliced green onions, jalapeños, and extra shredded cheese for added flavor and presentation.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture or layer them under the cornbread batter.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a lighter option.
- If you’re vegetarian, swap out the beef for black beans or lentils and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
