John Wayne casserole is a hearty and filling Tex-Mex dish that is popular in the southwestern United States. It is named after the famous western movie actor John Wayne and contains many of his favorite foods. The main ingredients in John Wayne casserole are ground beef, corn, beans, and a tomato-based sauce all baked together in a casserole dish.
Main Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients that go into making traditional John Wayne casserole:
- Ground beef: This provides the base and bulk of the casserole. John Wayne reportedly liked ground beef so this was a staple in his version of the dish.
- Pinto beans: Canned pinto beans help make the casserole hearty and add protein and fiber. Kidney beans can also be used instead of or in addition to the pintos.
- Corn: Whole kernel corn is another staple ingredient in John Wayne casserole. It provides sweetness to balance the other savory ingredients.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes along with tomato sauce or tomato paste provide moisture and classic tomato flavor.
- Onion and garlic: Sautéed onion and garlic add aromatic flavor to the ground beef.
- Chilies: Diced green chiles add a touch of heat and a southwest flavor.
- Spices: Typical spices include cumin, chili powder, pepper, and cayenne.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese melts over the top to finish it off.
Complete Ingredient List
Here is a complete list of ingredients you’ll need to make John Wayne casserole at home:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 4-oz can diced green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Steps to Make John Wayne Casserole
Here is a simple step-by-step recipe to make classic John Wayne casserole at home:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add beans, corn, tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles and spices. Stir to combine.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top evenly with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm alongside rice, cornbread or tortilla chips. Garnish with avocado, salsa, cilantro or sour cream if desired.
Variations
There are many ways to customize and tweak this classic John Wayne casserole recipe:
- Meat: Use ground turkey or a beef/turkey combo instead of just beef. You can also cook chopped steak or ground sausage instead.
- Beans: Mix up the bean varieties. Try black beans, red kidney beans, or white beans.
- Veggies: Add chopped bell peppers, zucchini, roasted green chiles or fire-roasted diced tomatoes for more texture.
- Cheese: Use pepper jack, Mexican-blend or a layer of sour cream for a creamy twist.
- Spices: Play around with the seasonings. Add cayenne for heat or cumin for a earthiness.
Why is it Called John Wayne Casserole?
As you may have guessed, John Wayne casserole is named after the legendary movie star John Wayne. He was born in Iowa and grew up in southern California. The story goes that this hearty Tex-Mex casserole was one of Wayne’s favorite meals. It contains many of the rustic, cowboy-style foods he enjoyed most:
- Ground beef – Wayne reportedly liked beef and thought of himself as a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy.
- Pinto beans – A protein-packed staple in the old west cowboy diet.
- Corn – A classic side dish in western ranch cooking.
- Spices – Wayne liked his food with a kick of heat and flavor.
John Wayne casserole brings together the traditional tastes of the American west all in one skillet. The actor was known to appreciate simple, filling, and delicious food just like this dish. While the exact origin is unclear, it came to be associated with John Wayne and named after him. It’s an excellent way to celebrate the Duke’s traditional cowboy tastes and his legacy as an icon of classic western films.
Tips for Making John Wayne Casserole
Here are some helpful tips for making perfect John Wayne casserole at home:
- Choose relatively soft beans. Firmer beans like chickpeas don’t work as well. Pinto, kidney, or black beans are best.
- Make sure to drain and rinse the canned beans to prevent them from being mushy in the casserole.
- Cook the ground beef thoroughly until nicely browned to add texture and deep flavor.
- Add chili powder, cumin, cayenne, or other spices to taste. John Wayne liked his food on the spicy side.
- Use corn with no salt or seasoning added to better control the flavor.
- Combine the sauce ingredients with the beef when simmering to infuse the flavor.
- Shred the cheese versus grating it so it melts nicely over the casserole.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes after baking so the juices can settle before serving.
- Garnish with avocado, cilantro, salsa, or Greek yogurt for extra flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
A 1-cup serving of John Wayne casserole provides:
| Calories | 285 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 9g |
| Carbs | 30g |
| Protein | 19g |
As you can see, John Wayne casserole provides a good balance of protein, carbs, and fiber. The ground beef gives you protein while the beans add fiber. And the tomato sauce and seasonings make it very flavorful for the calories. It’s a hearty all-in-one meal.
Conclusion
John Wayne casserole has become a popular staple dish because it is so hearty, filling, and flavorful. It brings together some of the American cowboy’s favorite foods – ground beef, beans, corn, and spices – in one delicious and satisfying meal. While the exact origin is unknown, it’s come to be associated with legendary western actor John Wayne and his traditional tastes. This recipe can be easily customized but the basic version stays true to the Duke’s love of Tex-Mex flavors. Whip up a batch of John Wayne casserole for a meal that would make the cowboy actor proud.