Saddle up for a hearty family dinner with this Cattle Drive Casserole. This rustic “cowboy-style” bake combines all the comforting elements of a classic casserole: seasoned ground beef, zesty vegetables, creamy cheese, and a fluffy biscuit topping. It’s essentially a Southwest-inspired pot pie that is hearty enough to feed a hungry crowd after a long day. With its rich flavors and satisfying biscuit crust, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings everyone to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Biscuit Topping
The star of this dish is undoubtedly the biscuit layer. Using refrigerated biscuit dough makes this incredibly fast to assemble, but the results taste homemade. As the casserole bakes, the bottom of the biscuits soaks up the savory gravy from the meat mixture, while the tops become golden, buttery, and crisp. It creates a perfect texture contrast with the creamy, cheesy beef filling underneath.
Creamy & Filling
This is a “stick-to-your-ribs” meal. Packed with protein from the beef and fiber from the peppers and onions, it’s a complete dinner in one pan. The secret to the filling is a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise, which creates a tangy, creamy binder that keeps the meat juicy and flavorful without needing a complicated roux or sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits (e.g., Grands)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown beef, onion, and peppers in a skillet. Drain.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Remove from heat.
- Stir in sour cream, mayo, and 1 cup of cheese.
- Transfer to baking dish. Top with biscuit pieces and remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until biscuits are golden.
Ingredient Highlights & Substitutions
Essential Ingredients
Ground Beef: Use 80/20 or 85/15 for the best flavor.
Refrigerated Biscuits: Canned buttermilk or homestyle biscuits work perfectly (like Pillsbury Grands).
Bell Peppers & Onions: The aromatic veggie base.
Taco Seasoning: Provides the spice profile.
Sour Cream & Mayo: The creamy binder for the filling.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar melts best for that gooey finish.
Smart Substitutions
You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. If you want to add more nutrition, stir in a can of black beans or corn to the filling. For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños or use Pepper Jack cheese instead of Cheddar. Homemade biscuit dough or a cornbread batter topping are also delicious alternatives.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Phase
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Dice the onion and green bell pepper. Cut the raw biscuits into quarters.
Cooking Phase
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper over medium-high heat until the meat is cooked through and veggies are soft. Drain excess fat.
Stir in the taco seasoning and a splash of water (about 1/4 cup) to bloom the spices. Remove from heat.
Stir in the sour cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix until well combined and creamy.
Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Scatter the quartered biscuit pieces over the top of the meat. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the biscuits.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through (check the center pieces to ensure they aren’t doughy).
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Technique Secrets
To ensure the biscuits bake evenly, don’t overlap them too tightly. Leave little gaps for heat to escape. If the top is browning too fast before the biscuits are done in the middle, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking. Adding the cheese on top of the biscuits adds a lovely crust, but watch that it doesn’t burn.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake is not draining the grease from the beef. Since you are adding mayo and sour cream (which contain fat), excess grease from the meat can make the casserole oily. Drain it well before mixing in the creamy elements.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 25g |
| Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Fat | 28g |
Serving Ideas & Pairings
Presentation & Plating
Serve hot, straight from the baking dish. A garnish of green onions or chopped cilantro adds a nice pop of color to the golden brown crust.
Pairing Suggestions
Since this is a heavy meal, a simple crisp salad with vinaigrette is the best accompaniment to cut through the richness. If you enjoy hearty, budget-friendly beef dinners, you will also love our Easy Ground Beef Skillet (Budget!) for a stovetop alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1? Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the meat filling ahead of time and refrigerate it. However, do not add the biscuit dough until you are ready to bake, or the dough will get soggy from the moisture in the meat.
Q2? Can I use Crescent rolls instead of biscuits?
Yes! You can unroll a sheet of crescent dough over the top for a pot-pie style crust. It will be thinner and flakier than the biscuit topping.
Q3? Is this recipe spicy?
Only if you use spicy taco seasoning or hot peppers. With standard taco seasoning, it is very mild and kid-friendly.
Conclusion
Cattle Drive Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for meat and bread lovers. It’s creamy, cheesy, and topped with golden carbs—everything you want in a satisfying family dinner.
