If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that’s bursting with flavor and oh-so comforting, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe is one of those magical meals I keep coming back to when I want something easy, cheesy, and hearty all in one. Trust me, once you dive into those layers of seasoned beef, creamy cheese, and flaky biscuit topping, you’ll be hooked just like my family is!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You’ll love how straightforward this one-pan casserole comes together, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Favorite: The cheesy, savory layers always get rave reviews from kids and adults alike.
- Versatile Ingredients: Feel free to swap in your favorite toppings or tweak the spice level to suit your taste.
- Comfort Food with a Twist: This isn’t your everyday taco night — the biscuit base adds a flaky, hearty foundation you won’t forget.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work together to create layers of flavor and texture—from the spicy taco beef to the creamy cheese mixture and light, biscuit crust. I always recommend grabbing fresh veggies and a good-quality biscuit mix for the best results.

- Lean Ground Beef: Choose 85-90% lean for great flavor without too much grease.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweetness and a nice pop of color; finely chop it for even cooking.
- Yellow Onion: Brings depth and sweetness — I like chopping it finely for a uniform bite.
- Taco Seasoning Mix: Use your favorite brand or homemade blend for easy seasoning.
- Biscuit Mix: Bisquick or similar makes the biscuit layer fail-proof and fluffy.
- Water: For mixing the biscuit dough — don’t swap this for milk or it might get too rich.
- Cooking Spray: Keeps the casserole from sticking without extra grease.
- Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and tang, balancing the bold flavors.
- Mayonnaise: A secret to richness and smooth texture in the creamy topping layer.
- Diced Green Chiles: Adds a subtle smoky heat; drain well to avoid sogginess.
- Cheddar Cheese Fiesta Blend: I love this mix for its sharpness and meltability.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the savory flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Salsa (mild): Use your favorite jarred salsa for added zest — no need to spread, just dollop!
Variations
One of the things I adore about this Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to play around with the toppings and spice level to really make it yours!
- Add More Heat: I’ve kicked this up a notch by stirring in diced jalapeños or swapping to a hotter salsa for a spicy twist — my spice-loving friends go crazy for it!
- Make it Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for seasoned cooked lentils or black beans to keep the flavors while skipping meat.
- Different Cheeses: Sometimes I experiment with pepper jack or even a shredded Mexican blend for a different cheesy punch.
- Gluten-Free Option: I’ve had success using gluten-free biscuit mix — just watch the baking time as it can vary.
How to Make Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Biscuit Base
Get your oven going at 350℉ early so it’s ready for baking the biscuit base. While the oven heats, mix your biscuit dough by combining the biscuit mix with water—don’t be shy to use your hands here; it helps to get everything thoroughly blended. Press this dough evenly into a sprayed 9×13-inch casserole dish and bake for about 5-8 minutes until it looks set and just turning golden. This step is crucial because a slightly pre-baked biscuit layer keeps the casserole from getting soggy.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef and Veggies
While the biscuit layer is baking, brown your ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat because you want a nice, lean filling. Then add in the chopped onions and red bell pepper, cooking them just until softened—about 4 minutes. Toss in your taco seasoning and mix it all well to get that familiar bold flavor punch. Once done, remove it from the heat and set aside.
Step 3: Layer the Filling and Creamy Toppings
Spread the cooked beef and veggie mixture evenly over your baked biscuit crust. Now comes the best part: in a separate bowl, stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, drained green chiles, ¾ cup of shredded cheese, and garlic powder until silky smooth. Carefully spread this creamy layer over the beef—it adds that rich, slightly tangy contrast that really makes the casserole sing.
Step 4: Add Salsa and Cheese, then Bake
Next, spoon small dollops of salsa evenly over the sour cream mixture—you don’t need to spread it thin; these bursts of salsa add flavor and moisture pockets. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and pop the whole casserole back into your oven, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s bubbly and golden around the edges. Pull it out, let it rest a few minutes, and get ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Prebake: Prebaking the biscuit layer helps keep the bottom crisp instead of soggy, a game changer I only discovered after a few tries.
- Drain Your Beef and Chiles Well: Excess moisture from meat or green chiles can make the casserole watery — drain carefully to keep it hearty.
- Mix with Your Hands: When combining the biscuit mix and water, using your hands gives better texture and helps you feel the dough consistency.
- Use Mild Salsa for Balance: I found that a mild salsa lets the other flavors shine without overpowering, but feel free to adjust to your spice tolerance.
How to Serve Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe

Garnishes
I always top my servings with a handful of fresh chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and some sliced green onions. Sometimes I throw on sliced avocado or a squeeze of lime to brighten those rich, cheesy layers — it makes this cozy casserole feel fresh and vibrant on the plate.
Side Dishes
We love serving this casserole alongside a crisp green salad tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette or some simple Mexican street corn (elote). If you’re in the mood for extra carb love, warmed tortilla chips or a side of refried beans pair perfectly too.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins or mini cast-iron skillets — everyone loves having their own cheesy taco biscuit personal pan! It’s also a fun dish to toss on a buffet table with bowls of different toppings like chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, and olives, letting guests customize their portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers covered tightly with foil or in an airtight container in the fridge. It holds up really well for 3-4 days — just keep in mind the biscuit base gets a little softer but still tastes fantastic reheated.
Freezing
This casserole freezes perfectly! I let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with foil and plastic wrap before freezing. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven for the best texture. It’s a lifesaver for meal prep and busy nights.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop leftovers in a 350℉ oven, covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. This keeps the cheese melty and the biscuit crust from drying out. Avoid microwaves if you want to maintain that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade taco seasoning instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade taco seasoning works wonderfully and lets you control the salt and spice levels. Use a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper for a flavorful mix.
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Is it necessary to prebake the biscuit layer?
While it might be tempting to skip, prebaking the biscuit layer prevents it from becoming soggy once the wet ingredients are added. It helps give you a crisp, golden base that holds the casserole beautifully.
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Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the casserole up to the point before baking, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Then bake as directed—it’s great for meal planning or entertaining.
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What can I serve with this casserole?
Side dishes like a fresh green salad, Mexican-style corn, black beans, or tortilla chips complement the cheesy taco flavors perfectly and round out the meal.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe brings together simple ingredients into a meal that feels special anytime you make it. It’s become a go-to in my kitchen when I want something that pleases a crowd but doesn’t require endless prep. I hope you give it a try and see just how easy and delicious comfort food can be — your family is going to ask for this one over and over again!
Print
Cheesy Taco Biscuit Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty, flavorful layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, a biscuit crust, and a creamy sour cream topping blended with cheddar cheese and green chiles. This oven-baked casserole combines Tex-Mex spices with comforting biscuit dough, perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Beef and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 ounce Taco Seasoning Mix
Biscuit Crust
- 2 ½ cups Biscuit Mix (such as Bisquick)
- 1 cup Water
- Cooking Spray (e.g. Pam)
Creamy Layer
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 4 ounces Diced Green Chiles, drained
- 1 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Fiesta Blend, shredded, divided (¾ cup and ¾ cup)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Topping
- ½ cup mild Salsa
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the beef is no longer pink, then drain off any excess fat.
- Prepare the Biscuit Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix and water. Stir until well blended, preferably kneading by hand for an even dough. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray, press the dough evenly to cover the bottom and edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes until the dough is set and lightly golden. Remove and set aside, keeping the oven on.
- Cook the Vegetables: To the cooked ground beef in the skillet, add chopped onions and red bell pepper. Stir and cook for about 4 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add taco seasoning and mix thoroughly. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Layers: Spread the cooked ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked biscuit crust in the casserole dish.
- Prepare the Sour Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, drained diced green chiles, ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, and garlic powder until smooth. Carefully spread this mixture evenly over the ground beef layer.
- Add Salsa and Cheese: Spoon small dollops of mild salsa evenly over the sour cream layer; do not spread out. Then sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake: Return the assembled casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, use medium or hot salsa and taco seasoning with added heat.
- Make sure to drain the ground beef well to avoid a soggy biscuit crust.
- You can substitute the biscuit mix with your favorite homemade biscuit dough recipe.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg


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