When you need a meal that’s filling, comforting, and guaranteed to satisfy even the hungriest crowd, look no further than this Cattle Drive Casserole. It’s a cheesy, beefy, and flavor-packed bake that’s loaded with everything you love about classic comfort food.
This casserole layers seasoned ground beef, creamy sour cream, and gooey melted cheese over a soft biscuit base. It’s simple, satisfying, and made with pantry staples—perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
What Is Cattle Drive Casserole?
Cattle Drive Casserole is a Southern-inspired baked dish that features ground beef cooked with spices, layered over a biscuit crust with sour cream and cheese. It’s baked until bubbly and golden for the ultimate hearty dinner.
Think of it as a cross between a cheeseburger bake and a beefy biscuit pie—comfort food done right.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy, beefy, and incredibly satisfying
- Perfect for busy nights—minimal prep required
- Uses simple ingredients you probably have on hand
- Feeds a crowd and makes great leftovers
- Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
What Does Cattle Drive Casserole Taste Like?
It’s rich, cheesy, and loaded with savory ground beef. The biscuit base is soft but sturdy, soaking up all the flavor from the beef mixture. The creamy sour cream layer balances the spices, and the melted cheese ties it all together.
Every bite is warm, comforting, and packed with cheesy goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), drained
- 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough or crescent roll dough
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Tools You’ll Need
- Skillet
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Cheese grater
Ingredient Swaps and Additions
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version
- Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack
- Add black beans or corn for extra texture
- Use low-fat sour cream and mayo for a lighter casserole
How to Make Cattle Drive Casserole
Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Add Seasoning
Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the Crust
Press biscuit dough into the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish to form a crust.
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Spread the beef mixture over the biscuit crust. In a bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, and half the shredded cheese. Spread this mixture over the beef layer. Top with the remaining cheese.
Step 5: Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve hot.
What to Serve with Cattle Drive Casserole
- A crisp green salad
- Cornbread or garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Sweet tea or lemonade
Tips for Success
- Don’t overbake—check at 25 minutes to keep the biscuits soft
- Drain the tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt
- Let it rest 5 minutes before slicing for cleaner servings
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F or microwave individual portions.
This casserole freezes well—cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.
What if I don’t have biscuit dough?
Use crescent roll dough, puff pastry, or make a quick homemade biscuit crust.
Is this spicy?
It has a mild kick from the green chilies, but you can use mild diced tomatoes if you prefer.
Conclusion
This Cattle Drive Casserole is a cheesy, hearty meal that’s perfect for when you need something easy and satisfying. It’s packed with bold flavors and creamy layers—everything you want in a Southern comfort casserole.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)
Calories: 510
Protein: 24g
Fat: 36g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 680mg
Cattle Drive Casserole: A Cheesy, Hearty Family Favorite
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
A cheesy, beefy casserole with a biscuit crust, creamy topping, and plenty of melted cheddar. A Southern comfort food favorite for family dinners.
Ingredients
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 small onion, diced
– 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
– 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough or crescent roll dough
– ½ cup sour cream
– ½ cup mayonnaise
– 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion. Drain fat.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
4. Press biscuit dough into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Layer beef mixture over the biscuit crust.
6. Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, and half the cheese in a bowl. Spread over the beef.
7. Top with remaining cheese.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Garnish with parsley or cilantro and serve.
Notes
– Swap ground turkey for a lighter version.
– Add black beans or corn for extra texture.
– Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
Keywords: cattle drive casserole, cheesy beef casserole, biscuit casserole, easy family dinner, ground beef bake, southern casserole recipe
My husband and grandson want me to make it once a week! Their absolute favorite!
★★★★★