Hearty & Easy Cattle Drive Casserole: A Family Favorite with a Biscuit Twist
Discover the ultimate comfort food with our irresistible Cattle Drive Casserole. This robust, flavor-packed dish features a delectable cheddar bay biscuit crust at its base, generously topped with a perfectly seasoned taco beef layer, and crowned with a rich, creamy, and wonderfully cheesy mixture. It’s the kind of hearty meal that satisfies everyone, making it an instant family favorite!
Why You’ll Adore This Comforting Casserole Recipe
The name “Cattle Drive Casserole” might conjure images of cowboys and campfire cooking, and while the ingredients might not fit neatly into a saddlebag, the spirit of a fulfilling, energy-boosting meal after a long day certainly does! This casserole is the epitome of comfort food – it’s substantial, incredibly flavorful, and guaranteed to stick to your ribs. Forget fancy plating; this dish is all about deliciousness and satisfying hunger. It’s designed to bring warmth and joy to your dinner table without any fuss.
Casseroles are a quintessential part of American home cooking, celebrated for their convenience, versatility, and ability to feed a crowd. This particular recipe takes the classic casserole concept and elevates it with Tex-Mex inspired flavors and an innovative cheddar biscuit crust. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you need a dependable, crowd-pleasing meal. The layers work in perfect harmony: the tender, savory biscuit base, the zesty, seasoned ground beef, and the creamy, melted cheese topping create a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite.
Don’t let the simplicity fool you; the unique combination of Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix with taco-seasoned beef creates a depth of flavor that’s truly extraordinary. It’s an approachable recipe that delivers gourmet-level comfort. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting in the kitchen, this casserole is straightforward to prepare and consistently delivers amazing results. Get ready to add this incredible Cattle Drive Casserole to your regular meal rotation!
“Very good and easy to make! This will be perfect for heating up for dinner again tonight. Husband and kids all loved it. Thank you, we love all of your recipes. You are our go-to recipe site!”
– Allison
Frequently Asked Questions About Cattle Drive Casserole
Absolutely! While the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix adds a unique garlic-herb flavor thanks to its seasoning packet, you can certainly use other options. A standard biscuit mix like Bisquick would work well; just add about a teaspoon of garlic powder to about 2 cups of mix to replicate some of that garlicky goodness. For an extra touch of homemade charm, you can even use a homemade Bisquick mix. This casserole also tastes fantastic with a cornbread base! You’d likely need two (7-ounce) packets of cornbread mix, prepared according to package directions with milk and eggs. Bake the cornbread crust for about 15 minutes before adding the beef and topping layers to ensure it sets properly.
The beauty of this casserole lies in its adaptability! Feel free to customize it with your favorite Tex-Mex toppings. Consider adding thinly sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick, diced avocado for a creamy texture, a dollop of fresh guacamole, or some sliced black olives for an extra savory note when serving. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or green onions can also add a vibrant freshness that complements the rich flavors beautifully.
Tailoring the spice level is easy. For a milder casserole, opt for mild diced green chilies and a mild taco seasoning packet. If you crave more heat, choose hot diced green chilies and a spicy taco seasoning blend. For an extra fiery kick, don’t hesitate to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture while it simmers. A dash of your favorite hot sauce stirred into the meat or drizzled on top before serving can also boost the heat.
This casserole is incredibly forgiving and welcomes additional ingredients to enhance texture and flavor. Stir in diced bell peppers (any color), corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned), refried beans, or black beans into the beef mixture. A can or two of Mexicorn can also add a delightful blend of corn and peppers. If you appreciate fresh herbs, a generous sprinkle of chopped cilantro or green onions on top before serving will brighten the dish considerably.
This filling Cattle Drive Casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. A crisp, refreshing green salad with your favorite dressing provides a perfect counterpoint to the rich casserole. You could also serve it with classic sides like grilled corn on the cob, steamed mixed vegetables, or a simple side of rice. For minimal effort, grab a bag of frozen steamable veggies and microwave them. A side of warm, crusty bread is excellent for soaking up any extra deliciousness. Don’t forget a side of salsa and extra sour cream!
Leftovers of this casserole are fantastic! Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the oven (covered with foil to prevent drying out) or the microwave until thoroughly warmed through. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it just as delicious, if not more so, the next day.
Ingredients Needed for Cattle Drive Casserole
(Refer to the full recipe card below for exact measurements and a printable version.)
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: This is the secret to our incredible crust. Remember to keep the garlic herb seasoning packet included in the box, but you won’t need to add any extra cheese as the box instructions suggest. If this specific mix isn’t available, don’t worry! Consult our FAQ section above for excellent alternatives like Bisquick or even a cornbread mix.
- Ground Beef: We recommend lean ground beef for less grease. For a lighter version, feel free to substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey. Ensure it’s fully cooked and any excess fat is drained for the best texture and flavor.
- Onion: A diced medium onion adds a foundational aromatic flavor to the beef layer. If you’re not a fan of onions, simply omit them. The casserole will still be delicious!
- Taco Seasoning: Use one packet of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning for convenience. Alternatively, if you prefer to control the ingredients and flavor, a homemade taco seasoning blend works wonderfully. Adjust the amount to your taste.
- Water: Two separate amounts of water are needed: one for preparing the biscuit mix and another smaller portion to help the taco seasoning blend smoothly into the ground beef mixture, creating a rich sauce.
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: These add a smoky depth and a hint of acidity to the beef. If fire-roasted isn’t to your liking, a can of regular petite diced tomatoes or Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies) can be used as a substitute, offering a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.
- Diced Green Chilies: These add a mild, earthy pepper flavor without much heat, in our opinion. They enhance the Tex-Mex profile. If you have absolutely no tolerance for any spice, feel free to leave them out.
- Shredded Colby Jack Cheese: This cheese blend melts beautifully and provides a creamy, tangy, and rich topping. You’ll need it for both the creamy topping mixture and an extra layer on top. If you want to experiment, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are all excellent substitutes that will yield fantastic results.
- Mayonnaise: This might seem like an unusual ingredient for a casserole topping, but trust us, it works magic! It adds a unique creaminess and helps achieve that perfectly browned, bubbly crust without a distinct “mayonnaise” flavor. Even mayonnaise skeptics often can’t tell it’s there.
- Sour Cream: Essential for creating the luscious, creamy topping layer. If sour cream isn’t a favorite, plain Greek yogurt is a fantastic, healthier substitute that offers a similar tangy creaminess. Crème fraîche can also be used. This ingredient provides balance and moisture to the topping, so some form of creamy component is highly recommended.
- Dried Parsley Flakes: Used as an optional garnish, a sprinkle of dried parsley flakes adds a pop of color and a subtle fresh note to the finished dish, making it even more appealing.
How to Make This Incredible Cattle Drive Casserole: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this satisfying Cattle Drive Casserole is a straightforward process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these simple steps to bring this comforting dish to your table:
- Prepare Your Oven and Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
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Craft the Biscuit Crust: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix with 3/4 cup of cold water and the garlic herb seasoning packet that came with the mix. Stir these ingredients together until they are just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough biscuit. Evenly spread this biscuit dough across the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. If you find the dough too sticky to handle, lightly spray your clean hands with a bit of cooking spray, then gently press the dough into place.
- Pre-bake the Crust: Place the casserole dish with the biscuit dough into your preheated oven and bake for 5-8 minutes. You’re looking for the dough to just set, not fully brown. This quick pre-bake ensures the crust is firm enough to support the subsequent layers without becoming soggy. Once set, remove the dish from the oven and set it aside.
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Cook the Beef & Onion: While the crust is pre-baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pound of ground beef and the diced medium onion to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it browns, until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet to prevent the casserole from becoming oily.
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Season the Beef Mixture: To the cooked beef and onion in the skillet, stir in the packet of taco seasoning, 1/4 cup of water, the drained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and the undrained can of diced green chilies. Mix everything thoroughly. Let this delicious mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the seasoning to fully hydrate.
- Layer the Beef: Carefully spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit layer in your casserole dish. Ensure it covers the crust from edge to edge.
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Prepare the Creamy Topping: In a small, separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1/2 cup of sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese. Mix these ingredients together until well combined and creamy.
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Add the Topping & Final Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the creamy mayonnaise and sour cream mixture over the beef layer in the casserole dish. Then, generously sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top of the creamy layer. This final layer of cheese will melt into a golden, bubbly crust.
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Bake to Perfection & Serve: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is beautifully melted, golden, and bubbly. Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the casserole to set, making it easier to serve. Garnish with dried parsley flakes for an appealing finish, then portion out and enjoy your hearty Cattle Drive Casserole!
Tips for a Perfect Casserole Every Time
- Don’t Overmix the Biscuit Dough: For a light and fluffy crust, mix the biscuit ingredients only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tougher texture.
- Drain Excess Grease: After cooking the ground beef, thoroughly drain any accumulated grease. This prevents the casserole from becoming greasy and ensures the flavors of the taco seasoning and other ingredients truly shine.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste your beef mixture after adding the taco seasoning and tomatoes. Feel free to add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of cayenne if you desire a spicier kick.
- Even Spreading: Ensure each layer is spread evenly in the casserole dish. This guarantees that every serving gets a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Rest Before Serving: Allowing the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking helps the layers set, making it easier to slice and serve without falling apart.
Make-Ahead and Storage Options
This Cattle Drive Casserole is a fantastic make-ahead meal! You can prepare the beef mixture and even the biscuit crust components ahead of time. Store the cooked beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The biscuit mix can be measured out, and the topping ingredients mixed and stored separately. When ready to bake, simply assemble the layers and proceed with baking instructions. For longer storage, this casserole freezes beautifully. Assemble the entire casserole (without baking), cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, possibly adding 10-15 minutes to the bake time if still slightly frozen in the center.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you loved this Cattle Drive Casserole, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of comforting and flavorful casserole recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Explore these other family favorites:
- Hobo Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Cornbread Taco Bake
- Layered Taco Bake
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Casserole
- Chicken Cobbler
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Crock Pot Taco Hash Brown Casserole
- Frito Pie Casserole
- Bisquick Taco Casserole
Cattle Drive Casserole
A layered Tex Mex dish that is filling and flavorful.
Pin Recipe
15 minutes
40 minutes
55 minutes
8
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (including the seasoning packet)
- ¾ cup cold water (for biscuit mix)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water (for taco seasoning)
- 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 4 ounce can diced green chilies, undrained
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (divided use)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a medium bowl, prepare the biscuit dough by combining 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (including the seasoning packet) and 3/4 cup cold water. Mix until just combined. Spread the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. If you find it too sticky to spread, just spray your clean hands with a little cooking spray and spread it out and gently press it down a little.
- Bake at 375°F degrees for 5-8 minutes, just until the dough is set. Remove from the oven and set aside.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground beef with 1 medium onion, diced, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once the beef is browned and fully cooked, drain any excess grease if needed.
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Stir in 1 packet taco seasoning, 1/4 cup water, 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained and 4 ounce can diced green chilies, undrained. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Spread the beef mixture evenly over the partially baked biscuit layer in the casserole dish.
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In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese. Spread this mixture evenly over the beef layer.
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Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top.
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Bake the casserole for 30 minutes, or until the top is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- This recipe makes 6-8 servings.
Dinner, Main Course
American
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 6g |
Protein: 19g |
Fat: 35g |
Sodium: 471mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 3g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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