Recipe Background
When we say this is the Duke's Best Bake, we mean the man who practically defined the Western movie: John Wayne. This casserole is a Tex-Mex lover's dream; the kind of dish best suited for enjoying the long dusty trails of the borderlands. A spicy and rich tomato layer bubbles beneath a rich sour cream-cheese layer. Beneath that, zesty and succulent taco meat. And beneath that, buttery biscuits. The Duke's Best Bake is a brilliant dish as complex as any of Wayne's characters.
When we say this is the Duke's Best Bake, we mean the man who practically defined the Western movie: John Wayne. This casserole is a Tex-Mex lover's dream; the kind of dish best suited for enjoying the long dusty trails of the borderlands. A spicy and rich tomato layer bubbles beneath a rich sour cream-cheese layer. Beneath that, zesty and succulent taco meat. And beneath that, buttery biscuits. The Duke's Best Bake is a brilliant dish as complex as any of Wayne's characters.
Ingredients
- 1 (16.3-ounce 8-count) can refrigerated large biscuits
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 (1-ounce) envelope taco seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies drained
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- green onions optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Open the biscuit can and separate the biscuits.
- Place the biscuits in a single layer in the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared baking pan, pressing the biscuits down to form a single layer.
- Bake the biscuit layer until it is lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes.
- Transfer the baking dish from the oven. Make sure to leave the oven on.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink.
- Drain the excess grease.
- Add the taco seasoning, the water, the onions, and the red bell peppers to the beef and stir to combine.
- Bring the beef mixture to a low simmer and cover the skillet.
- Cook the beef mixture until the veggies are soft, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the beef mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly over the biscuit layer.
- Spread the tomatoes with green chilies evenly over the beef layer.
- In a bowl, add the sour cream, the mayonnaise, and 1/2 of the cheese and stir to combine.
- Spread the sour cream mixture over the tomato layer in the baking dish.
- Top the sour cream mixture layer evenly with the remaining cheese.
- Bake until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown slightly, about 20-25 minutes.
- Allow the casserole to stand for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice and serve garnished with the green onions.
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