Description
Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty dish that combines layers of tender beef, creamy cheese, and savory spices, creating a comforting experience with every bite. The rich, velvety texture of the cheese melds beautifully with the juicy beef, while the crispy topping adds a delightful crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy layers beneath.
Ingredients
- Meat: 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
- Vegetables: 1 medium onion, diced; 1 bell pepper, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cheese: 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- Condiments: 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup; 1 cup sour cream
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Topping: 1 cup crushed tortilla chips; 1/2 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, sauté the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked ground beef to the skillet and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Mix well and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until smooth.
- In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the beef mixture, followed by the cream cheese mixture, and then the remaining beef mixture.
- Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use low-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 15 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 80 milligrams
Keywords: Cattle Drive Casserole, beef casserole, creamy casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy casserole, layered casserole, American cuisine, make-ahead meals, hearty meals, family-friendly recipes, ground beef recipes, casserole recipes