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This dish stacks seasoned beef, a fluffy biscuit base, creamy goodness, and a splash of bold toppings. It's the ultimate tex-mex comfort food. Whenever my friends come back famished after a long day, I whip this up and there's always a race for the last piece.
When I brought this to a street party, everyone grabbed a serving before I could even get one myself. Now it shows up at every family game night because it's such a hit.
Tasty Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: grab about 1.5 pounds Look for brightly colored, little-fat beef for the best texture This is your main layer
- Red Bell Pepper: adds a pop of sweetness Choose one that's crisp and deeply red
- Yellow Onion: gives the dish its savory depth Pick onions firm to touch with papery skins
- Taco Seasoning Mix: for all the Tex-Mex goodness Check how spicy yours is and use your fave
- Biscuit Mix: grab something like Bisquick for the crust Fresh mix means extra fluffy
- Water: helps tie the biscuit dough together Use cool water to mix
- Cooking Spray: makes cleanup simple A quick spritz keeps everything from sticking
- Sour Cream: brings loads of creaminess Full-fat works best for that rich bite
- Mayonnaise: amps up the creamy topping Use a simple mayo for pure flavor
- Diced Green Chiles: gives mild spice Drain them well so things aren’t watery
- Fiesta Blend Cheddar Cheese: melts for a punchy top Freshly shred your cheese if you can
- Garlic Powder: packs a little extra flavor Use a fresh jar for best taste
- Salsa: mild gives a tangy hit and sweetness Pick your favorite jarred salsa
Easy Steps
- Fire Up the Oven:
- Start by cranking the oven up to 350°F to get it nice and hot so things bake evenly later on.
- Sear the Beef:
- Set a big skillet over medium-high. Toss in the ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Once it's browned and there's no pink left, drain off extra fat so your casserole isn't greasy.
- Make Biscuit Base:
- Stir up biscuit mix and water in a bowl. Use your hands or a spoon till it's sticky and soft. Mist your baking dish with cooking spray. Press the dough all over the bottom and edges. Pop it in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes, just until it starts turning golden but isn't fully baked. Leave the oven on.
- Cook the Veggies:
- Add bell pepper and chopped onion to your cooked beef. Let them soften for around four minutes and start smelling awesome. Dump in taco seasoning, stir it up, then take off the heat before it dries out.
- Layer Up:
- Spoon the beef-veggie mix on the biscuit base. Gently smooth things out to make one even layer.
- Create Creamy Spread:
- In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, drained chiles, garlic powder, and most of the cheese so it gets smooth. Carefully spread this over the beef so the layers stay put.
- Add Toppings:
- Drop spoonfuls of salsa on the creamy layer (no need to fuss). Sprinkle all the leftover cheese to cover the top nicely.
- Bake It:
- Set the dish in the oven, uncovered. Bake for half an hour until it's bubbly, the edges are crunchy, and the top's a perfect golden color.
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You know what sets the flavor off? Sharp cheddar on top. It bubbles and browns just right. My kids can't wait, so they're always sneaking bites before it's even cool enough to eat.
Keeping It Fresh
This holds up in the fridge for about three days. Cool it first, then cover up and stash away. To freeze, cut into pieces, wrap in foil, and tuck in a big freezer bag. For leftovers, thaw overnight and warm it up covered in the oven.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Use ground chicken or turkey if that's what you've got. Any type of melty cheese — Monterey Jack, Colby — works too. Toss in frozen corn or black beans if you want to sneak in some extra veggies.
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How to Serve
Slice big squares and plate them with a green salad or roasted corn. It's a potluck champ — stays warm and cuts tidy. For more kick, spoon over extra salsa or toss on some pickled jalapeños.
Origins
This dish gets its name from cattle-driving days and those hefty meals cowboys needed out on the range. The Tex-Mex vibes bring that down-home feeling into today's kitchen, letting you enjoy a taste of old west comfort the easy way.
Recipe FAQs
- → Which ground beef should I grab?
Go with a leaner beef so you get plenty of flavor but not a greasy feel. Don’t forget to scoop out the extra fat for best results.
- → Can I swap out the cheese for something else?
Absolutely! Try out pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or even a mix of cheddar—these all melt nicely on top.
- → Is there a homemade fix for biscuit mix?
You can toss together your own biscuit dough with flour, butter, and baking powder if you don’t have store-bought mix handy.
- → How’s the best way to keep extras?
Let leftovers get totally cool, seal them up tight, and pop them in the fridge for three days max. Warm up a piece whenever you want.
- → Can I toss in more veggies?
Oh, for sure—add black beans, corn, or dices of zucchini right with your onions and peppers for even more kick and texture.