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    Home » Recipes » Casseroles

    John Wayne Casserole

    By: Jessica · Posted: Aug 25, 2023 · Updated: Nov 3, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 3 comments
    5 from 6 votes
    Close up of John Wayne casserole coming out of casserole dish.

    What is John Wayne Casserole? It’s a delicious dish made up of ground beef and pork, taco seasoning, veggies, and a creamy base of cheeses.

    Casserole recipes are a great easy dinner idea because most of them consist of a combination of items that can be baked all together, and the result is a delicious blend of flavors!

    Serving of John Wayne Casserole being lifted out of baking dish.

     

    If you love a meat and cheese casserole like this great recipe, then you’re also going to love similar recipes like this cheeseburger casserole, this hamburger hashbrown casserole, and this french onion casserole!

    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Equipment
    • How to Make John Wayne Casserole
    • Recipe Pro Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • What to Serve with John Wayne Casserole
    • Storage
    • More Casserole Recipes You’ll Love
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • It’s hearty: If you’re looking for a fulfilling dish, this hearty casserole is the one! Full of meat and cheeses, it’s loaded with protein.
    • For a potluck: Need a dish to take to a gathering? This dish will be the star of the show with the jalapenos, and how it looks different than the other dishes!

    Ingredients Needed

    Head on over to the grocery store to grab the following simple ingredients for this easy casserole recipe. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements. 

    Labeled ingredients for John Wayne casserole.

    We’ve provided a few notes about some of the ingredients in case you find it helpful:

    • Crescent Roll dough – Store-bought or homemade pizza dough will work here as well. You can use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to line the bottom and sides of the casserole dish. Some may even prefer a biscuit crust.
    • Ground pork – You could use ground beef or ground turkey instead if you’d like. 
    • Green bell peppers – You can slice or chop the bell pepper. The choice is yours. Or you could even use a red bell pepper if you prefer.
    • Sweet onion – Yellow or white onions will work as well. 
    • Rotel – Feel free to use fresh diced tomatoes and chilis instead. 
    • Canned jalapenos – Not a spicey fan? Go ahead and leave the jalapenos out. 
    • Mayonnaise – Miracle Whip will work here too.  
    • Shredded cheddar cheese – Cheddar is my favorite but Monterey jack or Colby jack cheese would make great substitutions. 

    Note: Corn Makes an excellent optional ingredient to this recipe! Just add a layer of 1 cup of sweet corn between the meat and peppers. We even used southwest corn in this walking taco casserole recipe!

    Equipment

    Here’s what you’ll need in terms of supplies to make this original John Wayne casserole recipe.

    • 9 X 13-inch baking dish 
    • Large heavy-bottomed skillet
    • Spoon or spatula for mixing
    • Mixing bowl
    • Oven

    How to Make John Wayne Casserole

    *Be sure to see the printable recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*

    This easy ground beef casserole recipe is easy to make but we still want to show you the steps of how to make this so it’s helpful!

    Prep. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease (or use parchment paper) a 9 X 13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. 

    Steps 1-4 of how to make John Wayne Casserole.

    STEP 1. Make the crust. Line the pan with the Crescent Roll dough. The dough should completely cover the bottom and stretch to the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

    STEP 2. Remove. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.

    STEP 3. Cook the meat. Using a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, pork, and taco seasoning and sauté until the meat mixture is browned and cooked through, breaking it up and mixing as you go. Drain and remove the meat from the skillet. 

    STEP 4. Cook the veggies. In the same skillet, sauté the bell pepper and diced onions until softened. 

    Tip: If you don’t want the casserole too spicy, you can leave off the jalapeno peppers.

    Steps 5-8 on how to make John Wayne Casserole.

    STEP 5. Assemble the casserole. Spread the seasoned, cooked meat over the Crescent Roll crust followed by the Rotel. Next, layer in the softened bell pepper and onions on top of the ground beef mixture, followed by ¼ cup of the jalapenos. 

    STEP 6. Make the creamy topping. Stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and then fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

    STEP 7. Spread the mixture. Spread the sour cream mixture over the casserole.

    STEP 8. Add cheese and jalapenos. Top with the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of jalapeño peppers. 

    STEP 9. Bake. Pop the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated throughout.

    Inside of casserole dish showing John Wayne Casserole ingredients.

    Recipe Pro Tips

    • Storebought Crescent Rolls. Crescent Roll dough is so convenient but, if you have time on your hands, you can make your own dough and use it in this recipe.
    • Can this be made ahead of time? One of the beautiful things about casseroles (including this one) is that you easily make one ahead of time. See below for tips on making this a freezer meal! 
    Serving of John Wayne casserole on white plate.

    Recipe FAQs


    Why is it called John Wayne casserole?

    Back in the ’70s, John Wayne contributed an almost identical recipe to a cookbook loaded with celebrity favorites. The book is called Cooking with Love From Cara Connery and Her Friends. No one knows where Wayne got the original recipe but it’s been around ever since. 

    What is the oldest known casserole?

    Mac and cheese (although not considered a casserole necessarily anymore) is the oldest known casserole.

    What to Serve with John Wayne Casserole

    When it comes to side dishes for casseroles, we like leafy greens or breads. For this recipe, we really like serving this side salad with it and this Italian white bread.

    Storage

    Leftover Casserole: This casserole makes for wonderful leftovers. It stores and reheats well. Allow the casserole to cool completely before covering it in a layer of plastic wrap and placing it in the refrigerator. You can keep it there for up to 4 days. You can also scoop the casserole out of your dish and store it in a separate airtight container.

    Can you freeze this casserole? Yes. Prepare the recipe up until the point of baking, cover it in 2 layers of plastic wrap, and pop it in the freezer. It can stay there for up to 3 months.

    Thawing: If you freeze this casserole- when you’re ready to serve, transfer the casserole to the refrigerator to thaw. Remove the plastic wrap and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20-30 minutes or until heated through. You can also pop an individual slice in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second intervals until the portion is heated through. 

    More Casserole Recipes You’ll Love

    If you love casseroles or easy dinner ideas, you’ll love these other recipes that we have for you:

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      Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake
    • Spoonful of Stove Top Stuffing Chicken Casserole.
      Stove Top Stuffing Chicken Casserole
    • slice of cinnamon roll casserole on plate
      Cinnamon Roll Casserole
    • Baked ravioli being lifted out of baking dish.
      Baked Ravioli

    Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

    Recipe

    Serving of John Wayne Casserole on a white plate.

    John Wayne Casserole

    Jessica Burgess
    John Wayne Casserole is a delicious blend of meats and cheeses, and combined with a creamy base as well has peppers and spices.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 55 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 servings
    Calories 696 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 pack Crescent Roll dough
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 1 ounce pack taco seasoning
    • 1 green pepper chopped
    • 10 ounce can Rotel
    • ½ cup canned sliced jalapenos divided
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

    Instructions
     

    • Prep. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9 X 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Make the crust. Line the pan with the Crescent Roll dough. The dough should completely cover the bottom and stretched to the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
    • Cook the meat. Using a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, pork, and taco seasoning and sauté until the meat is browned and cooked through, breaking it up and mixing as you go. Drain and remove the meat from the skillet.
    • Cook the veggies. In the same skillet, sauté the green peppers and onion until softened.
    •  Assemble the casserole. Spread the seasoned, cooked meat over the Crescent Roll crust followed by the Rotel. Next, layer in the softened bell pepper and onions followed by ¼ cup of the jalapenos. 
    • Add the creamy topping. Stir together the sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and then fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Spread the mixture over the casserole and top with the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of jalapenos. 
    • Bake. Pop the casserole in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated throughout.

    Notes

    Leftovers store and reheat well. Allow the casserole to cool completely before covering it in a layer of plastic wrap and placing it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
    Can you freeze this casserole? Yes, cover it in 2 layers of plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer. It can stay there for up to 3 months.
    Thawing: Transfer the casserole to the refrigerator to thaw. Remove the plastic wrap and cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 696kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 925mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1242IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 331mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords casserole recipe, hearty recipe, potluck
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    1. April says

      September 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve always wanted to try this – I’m so glad I did, it’s super delicious!

      Reply
    2. Jessica says

      September 28, 2023 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      A new family favorite recipe for sure, so flavorful and delicious! Thank you.

      Reply
    3. Pam says

      September 28, 2023 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was a hit with my family! Thank you!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

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