Cheddar Bay Casserole

Featured in Start the Party: Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers.

Creamy beef and cheese casserole topped with buttery, Red Lobster-style biscuits for a filling comfort meal.
A chef holding a plate of food.
Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:20:08 GMT
Close-up of cheesy beef casserole with golden biscuits and herbs. Pin it
Close-up of cheesy beef casserole with golden biscuits and herbs. | linacooks.com

Can't wait for you to try my Ground Beef Cheddar Cobbler! This ultimate comfort food combines tasty seasoned beef with those famous Red Lobster-style cheesy biscuits on top. My kitchen gets mobbed by hungry family members whenever those mouthwatering smells start wafting through the house.

Why You'll Love This Hearty Dish

This cobbler has turned into my family's favorite comfort meal. The cheesy garlic biscuits sitting atop that flavorful beef mixture is something truly special. You won't believe how quickly it comes together, yet everyone will think you slaved away for hours. It's my secret weapon on busy nights when we need something truly filling.

Ingredients List

  • Ground Beef: Brown up 1.5 lbs lean ground beef for the main foundation.
  • Yellow Onion: One finely chopped, bringing natural sweetness.
  • Garlic: A tablespoon minced, for that wonderful aroma.
  • Condensed Cheddar Soup: One 10.5 oz can creates that velvety cheese base.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: A 10.5 oz can adds rich creaminess.
  • Milk: Just ½ cup makes everything silky smooth.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Use 2 cups for that amazing melt factor.
  • Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: Box prepared according to package for the topping.
  • Butter: Melt ¼ cup and mix with seasonings for the finishing touch.
  • Parsley: Fresh chopped bits make it look fancy.

Step By Step Instructions

Cook Up Your Beef Mixture
In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1.5 lbs ground beef with diced onion until no pink remains. Toss in garlic and let it cook another minute. Mix in both soups, milk, some salt and pepper until everything's smooth. Stir in your shredded cheddar and take it off the heat.
Get Your Dish Ready
Give a 9x13 baking dish a good spray with cooking spray. Dump in your beef mixture, spread it flat and sprinkle some extra cheese on top.
Whip Up The Biscuit Layer
Combine the Cheddar Bay mix with cheese and milk until you've got a nice smooth batter. Spread this evenly over your beef layer.
Into The Oven
Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, then pull off the foil and cook another 10 minutes until those biscuits turn golden brown. Brush with your seasoned butter mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes before digging in.

Tasty Side Suggestions

We always enjoy this with a simple green salad with light dressing to cut through the richness. Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts work great too. When we're really hungry we'll throw in some buttery mashed potatoes on the side for total comfort food overload!

Storage Suggestions

You can keep leftovers in your fridge for about 3 days. Want to save it longer? It freezes well for up to 3 months. Don't microwave when warming up though. The oven works way better to keep those biscuits from getting soggy.

My Cooking Secrets

Don't skimp on your meat quality or biscuit mix. They really do matter here. Handle your beef mixture with care so it stays nice and tender. Take your time laying everything evenly in the dish so you'll get all those amazing flavors in each bite.

A close-up of a cheesy casserole topped with golden breading and parsley, showing a portion being served with ground beef and melted cheese inside. Pin it
A close-up of a cheesy casserole topped with golden breading and parsley, showing a portion being served with ground beef and melted cheese inside. | linacooks.com

Tasty Variations

Try swapping in ground turkey if you want something lighter. Italian sausage gives it a whole new flavor profile too. I sometimes toss in diced peppers or sliced mushrooms for extra veggies. You can even go meatless with hearty lentils or beans if you want. Those cheesy biscuits taste amazing with practically anything underneath.

Crowd-Pleasing Favorite

This dish works magic at family dinners and potlucks alike. There's something about it that just makes everyone gather around the table. Don't be surprised when folks ask you to share how you made it!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why wait before serving?
Resting for 5 minutes lets the butter soak in and gives the filling a chance to thicken nicely.
→ Can I use a homemade biscuit recipe?
You could, but the Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix captures the authentic Red Lobster taste perfectly.
→ What does brushed butter add?
It boosts the signature Cheddar Bay flavor and keeps the biscuits from drying out.
→ Is prepping ahead of time possible?
You can prepare the beef mixture early, but wait to add the biscuits until right before baking.
→ Why mix two soups together?
Using both cheddar and mushroom soups gives a creamy texture with a flavorful, balanced taste.

Cheddar Bay Casserole

Ground beef in a savory, creamy cheese sauce, topped with buttery Cheddar Bay Biscuits inspired by Red Lobster's classic dish.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 full-sized casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1.5 lbs of lean ground beef.
02 A diced yellow onion.
03 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
04 One can (10.5 oz) cheddar soup.
05 One can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup.
06 Half a cup of milk.
07 1/2 tsp of salt.
08 1/2 tsp black pepper.
09 Two cups shredded cheddar cheese.
10 One box of Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix.
11 One cup shredded cheddar cheese.
12 Two cups of milk.
13 Quarter cup melted butter.
14 Chopped parsley to sprinkle on top.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F. Cook ground beef and dice up onions, browning them together in a pan.

Step 02

Mix the soups, seasonings, milk, and one cup of cheese into the beef. Spread into a 9x13 dish, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese over it.

Step 03

Stir biscuit mix with cheddar and milk in a bowl. Pour this mix across the beef layer.

Step 04

Bake for 50 minutes or until the biscuit topping turns a golden brown. Brush melted butter over the top before serving.

Step 05

Cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle parsley on if you want an extra pop of freshness.

Notes

  1. Give it a rest so it sets up.
  2. You can brown the beef in advance.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 pan.
  • Skillet for cooking beef.
  • Bowl for mixing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Includes gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 566
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 42 g