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Test Kitchen Approved

Duke's Best Bake

Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

About

When we say this is the Duke's Best Bake, we mean the man who practically defined the Western movie: John Wayne. This casserole is a Tex-Mex lover's dream; the kind of dish best suited for enjoying the long dusty trails of the borderlands. A spicy and rich tomato layer bubbles beneath a rich sour cream-cheese layer. Beneath that, zesty and succulent taco meat. And beneath that, buttery biscuits. The Duke's Best Bake is a brilliant dish as complex as any of Wayne's characters.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16.3-ounce, 8-count) can refrigerated large biscuits
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 (1-ounce) envelope taco seasoning
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • green onions, optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2 -Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 3 -Open the biscuit can and separate the biscuits.

Step 4 -Place the biscuits in a single layer in the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared baking pan, pressing the biscuits down to form a single layer.

Step 5 -Bake the biscuit layer until it is lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes.

Step 6 -Transfer the baking dish from the oven. Make sure to leave the oven on.

Step 7 -In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink.

Step 8 -Drain the excess grease.

Step 9 -Add the taco seasoning, the water, the onions, and the red bell peppers to the beef and stir to combine.

Step 10 -Bring the beef mixture to a low simmer and cover the skillet.

Step 11 -Cook the beef mixture until the veggies are soft, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 12 -Add the beef mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly over the biscuit layer.

Step 13 -Spread the tomatoes with green chilies evenly over the beef layer.

Step 14 -In a bowl, add the sour cream, the mayonnaise, and 1/2 of the cheese and stir to combine.

Step 15 -Spread the sour cream mixture over the tomato layer in the baking dish.

Step 16 -Top the sour cream mixture layer evenly with the remaining cheese.

Step 17 -Bake until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown slightly, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 18 -Allow the casserole to stand for 10-15 minutes.

Step 19 -Slice and serve garnished with the green onions.

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