If you’ve ever worked on a farm, you know just how draining it can be. Working in the hot sun with heavy layers on, baling hay or moving cattle around… all that effort is exhausting and can lead to some pretty big appetites. Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that so many of the heartiest and most delicious dishes get their inspiration from farmhouse and cattle ranch meals designed to keep cowboys and girls fully fed and ready to work hard.
The recipe we have today for cattle drive casserole is one of those meals. Although this is probably isn’t a recipe you want to rush to make if you’re on a diet, it’s still an absolutely delicious dish packed full of all the best ingredients. It’s beefy, it’s spicy and it’s cheesy. It’s got a biscuity layer and it’s even a little creamy to top it all off. In terms of texture and taste, this dish is a home-run—and it couldn’t be simpler to make. Even if you don’t work on a ranch, you’ve got to give this one a try. So let’s get started.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
- 1 10-ounce can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 4-ounce can of diced green chilis
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 2 cups of biscuit mix
- 1 3/4 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 a yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- salt
- pepper
Here’s what you do:
1. To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and get a 9×13-inch baking dish greased up with some oil or some non-stick spray. In the meantime, get a large skillet going over medium-high heat and add in your ground beef, onion and red bell pepper. Keep cooking it until the meat browns and cooks through all the way and the veggies are soft. Drain the excess fat and set the pan aside.
2. Next, stir in your taco seasoning packet and add in a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. Nearby, get a medium bowl out and whisk together your sour cream, mayonnaise, a cup of cheddar cheese, green chiles and garlic powder until it’s well-incorporated.
3. In another bowl, pour in your biscuit mix and add in a cup of water, mixing it all together until it forms a soft dough. You can add in a little bit of extra water if you need to as well. When you’re satisfied with the dough, press it into your greased baking dish and let it bake in the oven for five to seven minutes, until it turns a light golden brown.
4. When the dough layer is done, take the dish out of the oven and pour in your beef mixture on top, topping that off with your diced tomatoes. After that, spread your sour cream mixture on top of the tomatoes and cover the entire thing with the rest of the cheddar cheese.
5. Pop the dish back in the oven and let it bake for about 30 minutes. When the time is up, check to make sure the cheese is all melted and the entire casserole dish is warmed all the way through. Let it cool off for a moment before cutting into it and serving it up hot!
Although this dinner dish is definitely not for the faint of heart, the taste and texture truly can not be beaten. The beefy, cheesy, chili taste works perfectly on top of the soft bread-y flavor of the biscuit on the bottom, all for a meal that is sure to fill you up. If your family isn’t up for something so heavy, try preparing it for the next party you have and see how fast your party guests eat their way through an entire pan. As always, have fun with the recipe and put your own twist on it as you see fit. Happy cooking!
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