John Wayne Casserole – A Cheesy, Southwestern Classic

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare biscuit base: In a medium bowl, mix biscuit mix and water until smooth. Spread into the bottom of the greased dish. Bake for 10 minutes, just until lightly set.
3. Cook meat and veggies: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onions and peppers over medium heat until cooked through. Drain excess fat.
4. Season: Add taco seasoning and drained diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Prepare creamy layer: In a separate bowl, mix sour cream or mayonnaise with half of the cheddar and half of the Monterey Jack cheese.
6. Layer: Spread the beef mixture over the partially baked biscuit crust. Spoon the creamy cheese mixture over the meat, spreading gently.
7. Top: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses evenly over the top.
8. Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
9. Rest: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

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