Why is it called a John Wayne casserole?

The name comes from the legendary actor John Wayne, who submitted a version of the dish for a charity cookbook. His version features ground beef, cheese, and Southwestern flavors—somewhat similar to this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole, but with biscuits or crescent rolls layered on the bottom.

What meat to serve with zucchini casserole?

This recipe already includes protein, but if you're making a plain zucchini casserole, ground beef, chicken sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken work beautifully. In this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole, the ground beef brings both flavor and heartiness, making it a complete meal on its own.

Can I cook raw ground beef and vegetables together?

Yes, you can. Just be sure to sauté the meat first to get that deep, browned flavor. Once the beef is mostly cooked, add in the vegetables. That’s how it’s done in this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole—building flavor step by step in one pan.

What’s in a John Wayne casserole?

Typically, it’s made with seasoned beef, bell peppers, onions, sour cream, cheese, and biscuit mix or dough. Our cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole keeps a similar creamy-cheesy structure but adds a veggie-forward spin by using zucchini instead of dough.

Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef

2 medium zucchinis, sliced

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic for 2–3 minutes.

3. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.

4. Stir in zucchini, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and mix in sour cream.

6. Transfer mixture to the baking dish and top with both cheeses.

7. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Substitute turkey or chicken for beef if desired.

Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for more vegetables.

Leftovers reheat well and make excellent meal prep options.

Author: EmilyFrost
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner, Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 310
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 560mg
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 70mg