Cattle Drive Casserole Recipe
This hearty cattle drive casserole combines savory ground beef, melted cheese, and a choice of biscuit or crispy hash brown topping. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd, easy to prepare and endlessly customizable.
Equipment
- Large skillet (for browning meat)
- Wooden spoon or spatula (for breaking up meat)
- 9x13-inch baking dish (for assembling the casserole)
- Cheese grater (if shredding cheese fresh)
- Mixing bowls (optional, for prepping ingredients)
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey/chicken as a lighter option
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 15 oz can pinto or black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 1 cup frozen corn optional
- 1 packet taco seasoning or homemade blend
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese freshly shredded recommended
- 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough or 4 cups frozen hash browns topping
- Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped green onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked.
- Add the onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, beans, corn, and taco seasoning. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the meat mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded cheese over the meat mixture.
- Add the topping, arrange biscuit dough pieces or spread the hash browns evenly over the cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes if desired.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish as desired.
Notes
- For extra spice, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- For a lower-carb version, omit the beans and use cauliflower hash browns.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.