John Wayne Casserole in 45 Minutes with Tex-Mex Beef

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the biscuit mix and 1 cup of water until a soft dough forms. Press the dough firmly into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared baking dish. Par-bake the crust for 8 minutes to ensure it remains crispy.
3. While the crust par-bakes, brown the ground beef, onions, and bell peppers in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is fully cooked and vegetables are tender. Drain the excess fat thoroughly.
4. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Simmer for 3 minutes until the liquid reduces into a thick glaze, then remove from heat.
5. Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the par-baked crust. Top the beef layer with the drained Ro-Tel tomatoes.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, chopped jalapeños, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Spread the creamy mixture over the tomatoes and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Bake for an additional 20-22 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown.