The Ultimate Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe For Cozy Suppers

My mom’s secret cattle drive casserole recipe blends hearty Southwestern flavors with comforting home-style cooking.

Ranch hands would devour this filling meal after long days on horseback.

Layers of ground beef, beans, and cheese create a robust dish that satisfies serious appetites.

Southwestern spices add a delightful kick to every delectable bite.

Quick and simple ingredients make this casserole perfect for busy weeknights.

Crispy corn chips scattered on top provide a delightful crunch that takes this meal from good to extraordinary.

Come hungry and leave happy with this classic cowboy-inspired comfort food.

Cattle Drive Casserole Feeds Hungry Families Fast

• Whip Up Comfort: A Family Dinner Lifesaver: This casserole transforms simple ingredients into a hearty meal that brings everyone to the table with minimal prep time.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: From start to finish, you'll have dinner ready in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights when time is tight and hunger is high.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with savory ground beef, colorful vegetables, and melted cheese, this dish satisfies picky eaters and hungry adults alike with its delicious combination of textures and tastes.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned tomatoes, and biscuits, this recipe delivers maximum flavor without breaking the bank, proving delicious meals don't have to be expensive.

Cattle Drive Casserole Essentials

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein foundation for the casserole, rich and flavorful.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that adds depth and savory notes to the dish.

• Green Bell Pepper: Provides crisp texture and mild sweetness.
• Corn: Sweet kernel addition that brings freshness and color.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and tangy tomato flavor to the casserole.

• Sour Cream: Creamy element that helps bind ingredients and adds richness.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty topping that creates a golden, delicious crust.
• Canned Biscuits: Convenient bread topping that becomes crispy and golden.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall flavor profile.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

Step 1: Brown The Ranch Meat

In a large skillet, sizzle ground beef until it transforms into a rich, caramel-colored delight.

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Chopped bell peppers

Sauté until the vegetables become tender and fragrant.

Step 2: Create Hearty Filling

Stir in sweet corn kernels and juicy diced tomatoes.

Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to awaken the taste buds.

Let the ingredients mingle and dance together.

Step 3: Prepare Creamy Base

Transfer the robust meat mixture into a spacious baking dish.

Spread a luxurious layer of tangy sour cream across the top, creating a silky blanket of deliciousness.

Step 4: Sprinkle Cheesy Goodness

Generously shower the casserole with shredded cheese, ensuring every inch gets a cheesy embrace.

Step 5: Top With Fluffy Biscuits

Carefully arrange canned biscuits across the entire surface of the casserole, creating a golden crown.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the biscuits turn a beautiful golden brown and the cheese bubbles with excitement.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes, letting the flavors settle.

Slice and serve this rustic, comforting meal that screams home-style cooking.

Cattle Drive Casserole – What To Know Before You Bake

• Choose ground beef with 90% lean meat for a healthier version without sacrificing flavor and to reduce excess grease in the casserole.
• Swap bell peppers or add extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms to boost nutrition and customize the dish to your taste preferences.
• Experiment with different cheese types like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican blend to create unique flavor profiles and keep the dish exciting.
• Press biscuits slightly into the casserole for better integration and to prevent them from floating on top during baking, ensuring even coverage.
• Add a dash of chili powder, cumin, or cayenne pepper to the meat mixture for an extra kick of flavor and southwestern-style warmth.

Guide to Storing and Warming Cattle Drive Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Seal in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent biscuits from burning.
• Warm individual portions for 1-2 minutes, checking midway to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.

Cattle Drive Casserole What To Serve With

• Spice Up with Zesty Margaritas: Bright citrus notes cut through the rich beef, creating a perfect flavor balance that dances on your palate.
• Complement with Crisp Coleslaw: Tangy, crunchy slaw provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty casserole, adding texture and lightness to each bite.
• Cool Down with Mexican Beer: Light, crisp beer like Corona or Modelo amplifies the southwestern flavors, cleansing the palate between savory mouthfuls.
• Match with Fresh Cilantro Salad: Bright, herbaceous greens offer a clean, zesty counterpoint to the dense, cheesy casserole, bringing freshness to the meal.

Cattle Drive Casserole Flavor Ideas

• Vegetarian Ranch Casserole: Replace ground beef with black beans or lentils for a protein-packed meatless version. Use vegetable broth and add extra bell peppers for depth.
• Low-Carb Cowboy Bake: Swap canned biscuits with cauliflower rice or sliced zucchini. Use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce carbohydrates.
• Gluten-Free Ranch Delight: Replace wheat-based biscuits with gluten-free cornbread topping or almond flour biscuits. Check all ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free certified.
• Spicy Southwest Skillet: Add jalapeños, chipotle powder, and swap regular cheese with pepper jack. Include diced green chiles for an extra kick of heat and southwestern flavor.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Cattle Drive Casserole?

The key ingredients include ground beef, onions, garlic, bell peppers, corn, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, and canned biscuits.

• Is this recipe suitable for a weeknight dinner?

Yes, it’s quick and easy to prepare, taking about 45 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy families.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef mixture and assemble the casserole in advance, then refrigerate and bake when ready to serve.

• What type of ground beef works best for this recipe?

Use lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) to ensure great flavor without excess grease.

Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Western-inspired Cattle Drive Casserole delivers robust flavors that celebrate cowboy cuisine with rich ground beef and zesty Mexican-style ingredients. Rustic comfort combines ground meat, cheese, and spices in one satisfying skillet meal that brings ranch-style warmth to your dinner table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup onion
• 2 cloves garlic

Vegetables:

• 1 green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 can biscuits
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect environment for a hearty meal.
2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces as it sizzles and caramelizes.
3. Introduce diced onions, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers to the meat, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
4. Incorporate sweet corn kernels and juicy diced tomatoes into the skillet, seasoning the mixture with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to enhance the robust flavors.
5. Carefully transfer the savory beef and vegetable medley into a spacious baking dish, creating an even layer of deliciousness.
6. Generously spread a velvety layer of sour cream across the top, ensuring complete coverage of the meat mixture.
7. Shower the surface with a generous handful of shredded cheese, creating a tantalizing blanket of dairy goodness.
8. Delicately arrange the canned biscuits across the casserole, allowing them to nestle into the cheesy landscape.
9. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, letting the casserole bake for 25-30 minutes until the biscuits transform into golden-brown pillows and the cheese bubbles with excitement.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, letting the flavors meld and settle before serving.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein option that keeps the hearty flavor profile intact.
• Customize the heat level by adding diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to give the casserole a spicy kick for adventurous palates.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to make this a quick weeknight meal that comes together in under 45 minutes from start to finish.
• For gluten-free variations, use gluten-free biscuits or replace them with cornbread topping to maintain the dish’s comforting texture and appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg