Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, cheesy casserole featuring a savory ground beef and onion layer topped with a creamy blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, cheddar, and Pepper Jack cheeses, all baked on a flaky crescent roll crust. Perfect for family dinners, this comforting American dish offers a flavorful twist with diced green chiles and aromatic seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Crust
- 1 (8 oz) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Add Seasonings and Chiles: Stir in the drained diced green chiles, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cooked beef mixture, blending all flavors well.
- Prepare Crescent Roll Crust: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Press the refrigerated crescent roll dough into the bottom of the dish, sealing all seams to create a uniform crust.
- Partially Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 5–7 minutes, just until it begins to set but is not browned. This step prevents the crust from becoming soggy after adding the toppings.
- Add Beef Layer: Remove the crust from the oven and evenly spread the seasoned beef mixture over it to create the first layer of the casserole.
- Mix Cheese Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded Pepper Jack cheese until well combined.
- Top and Final Bake: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the beef layer. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to set and make slicing easier. Serve warm.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save time on busy days.
- For extra heat and flavor, add chopped jalapeños or your favorite hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Serve with salsa, a crisp green salad, or your favorite side dish for a complete meal.
