Doesn’t cooler weather make you start craving hearty comfort food?  That’s exactly what this recipe is.  My parents recently took a trip to San Antonio and my mom came back all excited about trying John Wayne Casserole.  She made it tonight, and other than a few tweaks I’d probably make, it was really, really good.

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. ground beef- cooked and drained

1 packet of taco seasoning

4 oz. sour cream

4 oz. mayonnaise

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

1 chopped onion

2 cups of biscuit mix (Bisquick)

2 chopped tomatoes

1 chopped green bell pepper

4 oz. can sliced jalapeno peppers

Brown ground beef, drain, and add taco seasoning and water (according to packet instructions). In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayo, and 4 oz. of cheddar cheese, half the bell pepper and onions, and set aside.  Stir biscuit mix and water (per directions on box) to form a soft dough.  Press dough into the bottom and one half inch of the sides of an 11 x 7 inch casserole dish.  Sauté’ the remaining onions and bell peppers until slightly tender.  On top of the biscuit mix, layer the ingredients in the following order:  ground beef, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, jalapenos, sour cream mixture, and end with remaining shredded cheese on top.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until the edges of the dough are slightly browned.  Yields 6-9 servings.

*Note:  The only thing I might do different to this is substitute banana peppers for the jalapenos, just because I like them.  I also thought it could use some salsa on top.  Otherwise, it was delicious and very filling!