Air Fryer Cattle Drive Casserole saves dinner when I need something hearty and filling but faster than the traditional oven version. Taco-seasoned beef, gooey melted cheese, and tangy tomatoes with green chiles layer over a soft biscuit base that soaks up every savory drop. The air fryer browns the cheese topping to golden perfection, creating those bubbly edges everyone loves. You’ll wish you doubled the recipe.
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I make it for busy weeknights, game days, and potluck parties because it’s fast, kid-friendly, and cooks in the air fryer with easy cleanup. It’s perfect for after-school meals, Sunday family dinners, and tailgating since it’s a crowd-pleaser that feeds everyone without much effort. The casserole stays fresh in the fridge for 3 days or freezes for up to 3 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Cattle Drive Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
I’ll show you how to make this hearty, protein-packed casserole with simple, easy layers.
Prepare the Baking Dish and Biscuit Base
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then stir the baking mix, milk, and 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium bowl until the batter is smooth. I always reach for my favorite medium bowl becuase it keeps everything contained and makes stirring so much easier.
Use a silicone spatula to spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Pop it in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 5 minutes until the edges start turning golden, just enough to set the base for the toppings.
Cook the Ground Beef Mixture
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. I use this skillet because it heats evenly and gives the beef that perfect, flavorful browning.
Add your ground beef (or lean ground beef for a lighter option) and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking it up with a wooden spoon until there’s just a bit of pink remaining. Toss in the diced onion and red bell pepper, then continue cooking for another 3 minutes until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables soften.
At this point, the beef should be in small, crumbled pieces. Stir in the taco seasoning (or a seasoning packet/homemade taco seasoning, if you prefer, which boosts the flavor and richness of the beef) and salt, then remove from the heat.
Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and 1 cup each of cheddar and pepper jack cheese. For an extra layer of creamy, melty goodness, you can also fold in some Colby Jack cheese or Monterey Jack. Mix until smooth and well combined. This creamy mixture will melt perfectly into all the layers, creating a gooey, cheesy texture.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
I always recommend shredding your own cheese for the best melt, and this box grater makes it effortless. The handy container catches every bit, so nothing goes to waste.
Assemble the Casserole Layers
Spoon the cooked beef mixture evenly over your par-baked biscuit base, spreading it out to cover the entire surface. Top with diced tomatoes, a can of Rotel, or a scoop of jarred salsa, along with green chiles. The salsa adds instant seasoning and extra moisture. Spread everything evenly across the beef layer so every portion gets a tangy, slightly spicy kick.
Dollop the mayonnaise-cheese mixture over the tomatoes, then use a spatula to gently spread it across the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese mix over everything, covering the entire surface so it melts into a golden, bubbly topping.
If you’re prepping ahead, you can store the casserole ingredients in an airtight container with lids to keep everything fresh and organized.
Air Fry Until Bubbly and Golden
Place the assembled casserole back in your air fryer and bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly around the edges, and starting to turn golden brown on top.
Remove from the air fryer using oven gloves and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving, which allows all the layers to set so your slices hold together better. Enjoy!
If you’re taking this to a get-together or just want to keep it warm, I never leave home without this insulated casserole carrier, which keeps my casserole hot and fresh while making it easy to carry.
Air Fryer Cattle Drive Casserole
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 cups all-purpose baking mix such as Bisquick
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ small yellow onion diced
- ¾ cup red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheese mix divided
- 2 cups diced tomatoes and green chiles drained (such as Rotel)
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.Cooking spray
- In a medium bowl, stir together the baking mix, milk, and oil. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish and bake in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 5 minutes, or until it starts to turn golden brown. Remove and set aside.2 cups all-purpose baking mix, 1 ¼ cups whole milk, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through with a bit of pink remaining, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking the beef into small pieces, until the beef is fully cooked and the onions soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning and salt, and remove from heat. Set aside.2 pounds ground beef, ½ small yellow onion, ¾ cup red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and 1 cup each of pepper jack and cheddar cheese. Set aside.½ cup mayonnaise, 2 cups shredded cheese mix, ½ cup sour cream
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the par-baked biscuit in the baking dish. Top with the drained diced tomatoes and green chiles, followed by the mayonnaise mixture. Gently spread to cover, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.2 cups diced tomatoes and green chiles
- Bake in the air fryer for about 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use a 9×13 metal pan: Metal conducts heat better in the air fryer than glass or ceramic, giving you more even cooking and better browning on the cheese. Make sure your pan fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.
- Par-bake the biscuit base: Those first 5 minutes in the air fryer set the foundation so it doesn’t get soggy under all the toppings. You want it just starting to turn golden, not fully cooked.
- Break the beef into small pieces: Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to crumble the ground beef into small, bite-sized pieces while it cooks. Smaller pieces distribute better across the casserole and give you beef in every forkful.
- Drain the Rotel completely: Press the tomatoes and chiles in a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess liquid. Too much moisture will make your casserole watery and prevent the cheese from browning properly.
- Let it rest before serving: That 10-minute resting period after air frying lets the layers set up and makes the casserole much easier to slice and serve without everything sliding apart.
- Flash freeze for meal prep: Cut the cooled casserole into individual portions and freeze them on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to freezer bags. They won’t stick together, and you can grab single servings whenever you need a quick dinner.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let the casserole cool completely, then cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or transfer individual portions to airtight containers so it stays fresh in the fridge for about 3 days. Reheat portions in the air fryer at 320°F for 5–7 minutes, or until warmed through. For individual servings, microwave for 1–2 minutes. The biscuit base may soften slightly, but the casserole will still taste delicious.
For longer storage, wrap cooled portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags, where they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw the casserole overnight in the fridge before reheating, which helps it hold up well in the freezer, even if the biscuit layer ends up slightly softer. I usually reheat frozen portions straight in the air fryer at 300 °F for 12–15 minutes.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Cattle Drive Casserole
This casserole is hearty enough to be a complete meal, but I like serving it with a simple side salad dressed with lime vinaigrette, either a taco salad for a Mexican-style pairing or a fresh romaine salad for a lighter, crisp contrast. Tortilla chips and salsa are perfect for parties, especially for scooping up any extra cheesy bits.
Other great sides include Mexican street corn, black beans, cilantro lime rice, refried beans, or Spanish rice to round out the Tex-Mex flavors. For casual gatherings, set out sour cream, guacamole, sliced jalapeños, and chopped cilantro so everyone can customize their plates with fresh toppings.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
I’ve got more air fryer casseroles that are just as hearty and comforting.
