Easy Cattle Drive Casserole – A Hearty, Crowd-Pleasing Meal

A Tex-Mex inspired layered casserole with seasoned beef, beans, cheese, and biscuits for the ultimate comfort food dinner.

🎉 Introduction

If you’re after an easy, filling, and flavor-packed dish that feeds a hungry crowd, the Cattle Drive Casserole is your answer. This rustic, satisfying bake layers ground beef, beans, and a zesty tomato mixture over a soft biscuit base, all smothered in melted cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food—hearty enough for weeknights and delicious enough for casual gatherings. 🌵🍽️🧀

With simple ingredients and just 15 minutes of prep time, this casserole brings big flavor with minimal effort. It’s a family favorite for a reason!

🛒 Ingredients

🥩 Meat & Base

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (8-count) can refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands or similar)

🌶️ Filling

• 1 (15 oz) can Ranch Style Beans or chili beans
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

🧀 Topping

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• Chopped green onions or cilantro for garnish (optional)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Brown the Meat

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
2. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 more minutes.
3. Stir in beans and tomatoes (undrained) and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prep the Base

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Press biscuits evenly into the bottom of the dish to form a crust.

Step 3: Layer the Casserole

1. Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly over the biscuit layer.
2. Drop dollops of sour cream across the surface.
3. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake & Finish

1. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and cheese is bubbly.
2. Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with green onions or cilantro if desired.
3. Serve warm and enjoy!

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~45 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Spicy Version: Use hot Rotel or add jalapeños to the meat
• Vegetarian: Skip the beef and double the beans
• Tex-Mex Twist: Add corn or taco seasoning
• Cheese Blend: Mix cheddar with Monterey Jack or pepper jack
• Sour Cream Swap: Use Greek yogurt for a lighter option

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: Freeze baked casserole (cool first) for up to 2 months
• Reheating: Microwave slices or warm in oven at 350°F until heated through

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use different beans?
   Yes—black beans or pinto beans also work well.
2. What kind of biscuits should I use?
   Flaky canned biscuits are ideal for the base.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes—assemble up to a day ahead and refrigerate, then bake fresh.
4. Can I use taco meat?
   Absolutely—it adds great flavor.
5. Is this dish kid-friendly?
   Very! Just use mild diced tomatoes and keep spices low.
6. Do the biscuits cook all the way through?
   Yes—baking uncovered ensures the biscuit layer fully bakes.
7. Can I make this in a smaller dish?
   Yes—halve the recipe for an 8×8-inch dish.
8. Can I add veggies?
   Sure—try bell peppers, corn, or spinach in the meat mix.
9. Does it need a side dish?
   It’s complete on its own, but a side salad or corn makes a great pairing.
10. Can I use leftover taco meat?
    Yes—just stir it into the bean and tomato mix.

🏁 Conclusion

Cattle Drive Casserole is the kind of dish that proves comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With bold flavors, creamy layers, and a golden biscuit crust, it’s everything you want in a one-dish meal—easy to make, satisfying to eat, and guaranteed to be requested again and again. 🤠🧀💛

Pull it from the oven, serve it up hot, and watch it disappear!

Adam

Easy Cattle Drive Casserole – A Hearty, Crowd-Pleasing Meal

If you’re after an easy, filling, and flavor-packed dish that feeds a hungry crowd, the Cattle Drive Casserole is your answer. This rustic, satisfying bake layers ground beef, beans, and a zesty tomato mixture over a soft biscuit base, all smothered in melted cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food—hearty enough for weeknights and delicious enough for casual gatherings. 🌵🍽️🧀 With simple ingredients and just 15 minutes of prep time, this casserole brings big flavor with minimal effort. It’s a family favorite for a reason!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🥩 Meat & Base

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 8-count can refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands or similar)

🌶️ Filling

• 1 15 oz can Ranch Style Beans or chili beans
• 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

🧀 Topping

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• Chopped green onions or cilantro for garnish optional

Method

 

Step 1: Brown the Meat

1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
2. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 more minutes.
3. Stir in beans and tomatoes (undrained) and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prep the Base

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Press biscuits evenly into the bottom of the dish to form a crust.

Step 3: Layer the Casserole

1. Spread the beef and bean mixture evenly over the biscuit layer.
2. Drop dollops of sour cream across the surface.
3. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake & Finish

1. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and cheese is bubbly.
2. Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with green onions or cilantro if desired.
3. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

🥄 Variations
Spicy Version: Use hot Rotel or add jalapeños to the meat

Vegetarian: Skip the beef and double the beans

Tex-Mex Twist: Add corn or taco seasoning

Cheese Blend: Mix cheddar with Monterey Jack or pepper jack

Sour Cream Swap: Use Greek yogurt for a lighter option

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Freezer: Freeze baked casserole (cool first) for up to 2 months

Reheating: Microwave slices or warm in oven at 350°F until heated through

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use different beans?
Yes—black beans or pinto beans also work well.

What kind of biscuits should I use?
Flaky canned biscuits are ideal for the base.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes—assemble up to a day ahead and refrigerate, then bake fresh.

Can I use taco meat?
Absolutely—it adds great flavor.

Is this dish kid-friendly?
Very! Just use mild diced tomatoes and keep spices low.

Do the biscuits cook all the way through?
Yes—baking uncovered ensures the biscuit layer fully bakes.

Can I make this in a smaller dish?
Yes—halve the recipe for an 8×8-inch dish.

Can I add veggies?
Sure—try bell peppers, corn, or spinach in the meat mix.

Does it need a side dish?
It’s complete on its own, but a side salad or corn makes a great pairing.

Can I use leftover taco meat?
Yes—just stir it into the bean and tomato mix.

🏁 Conclusion
Cattle Drive Casserole is the kind of dish that proves comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With bold flavors, creamy layers, and a golden biscuit crust, it’s everything you want in a one-dish meal—easy to make, satisfying to eat, and guaranteed to be requested again and again. 🤠🧀💛

Pull it from the oven, serve it up hot, and watch it disappear!