The Cheesy Cowboy Casserole Invented By Hollywood Legend John Wayne

When you hear the name John Wayne, your mind likely conjures up images of western films and legendary, rugged lawmen — not popular regional casseroles. But the iconic Hollywood star, born Marion Robert Morrison, better known as Duke, lent his professional acting name to a hearty, down-home dish: the John Wayne Casserole. This savory dish typically features ingredients like refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeños, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and heaps of cheddar cheese. It's one of the many comfort foods with a hint of American Southwest flair.

So, how exactly did a celebrated screen cowboy come to inspire this dish? The dusty trail leads back to a young kitchen pioneer: 10-year-old Cara Connery. In 1979, she set out to raise money for cancer research by creating a cookbook titled "Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends." Cara reached out to over 1,400 celebrities and collected recipes from many contributors, including John Wayne. He sent in his beloved cheesy cowboy casserole recipe, and just like that, history was made.

While Cara's version of John Wayne's casserole focused on simple ingredients like eggs and cheese, it was only the beginning of the dish's evolution. The fully loaded, more robust recipe we know today traces back to the University of Mississippi Medical Center cafeteria in Jackson, Mississippi, where additions like biscuits, onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos were included to create a more complex Southwest flavor. As many culinary innovation stories go, it seems that collaboration and the desire to share the comforts of food with others fueled the evolution of this cowboy casserole.

If not for a determined young fundraiser and a friendly Hollywood star, this casserole might have never made it onto tables across America. Next time you're stumped on dinner or breakfast, comfort and flavor are only a recipe away. Swap out ingredients like cheddar cheese for a Southwest cheese mix, or serve with ripe avocado slices on top for some added nutrition. The cheesy cowboy casserole was named after a screen legend, furthered by a good cause, and refined in a school cafeteria. It's all proof that some dishes were made to stand the test of time.