Creamy Cheddar Beef Bake

Featured in Main Meals Worth Staying Home For.

This Cheddar Beef Bake is pure comfort, with a cheesy beefy base smothered in a fluffy biscuit topping inspired by Red Lobster’s style. The filling combines tender ground beef and sautéed onions in a creamy sauce made from cheddar and mushroom soups, with gooey cheddar melted in. The star of the show? Cheesy biscuits mixed with garlic butter, baked to golden perfection. It’s ready in just over an hour and ideal for fast, satisfying weeknight dinners.
A chef wearing a white hat and apron.
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:32:14 GMT
A food dish garnished with fresh herbs. Pin it
A food dish garnished with fresh herbs. | cookscoop.com

This filling casserole brings together a velvety, cheese-infused beef mixture topped with those famous Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits for a truly satisfying meal. It's the perfect combo of juicy meat, melty cheese, and soft, buttery biscuits that'll make even the biggest eaters happy. I stumbled on this idea when looking for new ways to cook ground beef and couldn't believe how these basic ingredients turned into such an amazing comfort dish.

When I brought this to our block party last month, I came back with nothing but an empty dish and tons of folks asking me how to make it. The trick? That special Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix that adds so much flavor without any extra work.

Key Ingredients and Smart Choices

  • Ground Beef: Go for 85/15 lean for the right mix of taste and less fat
  • Cheddar Soup: The Campbell's condensed stuff makes the best creamy layer
  • Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: Don't swap this boxed Red Lobster mix if you want the real deal
  • Shredded Cheese: Pick sharp cheddar for more kick
  • Fresh Parsley: This final touch really wakes up the rich flavors

The best part happens when that savory meat mixture meets the cheesy biscuit topping and turns into a golden, bubbly masterpiece that makes your kitchen smell absolutely incredible.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Cook Beef and Onions
Toss ground beef and chopped onions into a big skillet over medium-high heat, breaking beef into tiny bits while it cooks. Drain off extra fat for a cleaner taste.
Step 2: Mix in Garlic
Throw in chopped garlic and let it cook about a minute until you can smell it. Watch it closely so it doesn't burn and get bitter.
Step 3: Make it Creamy
Pour in cheddar soup, mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until it's smooth and well-blended.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Stir in shredded cheddar until it melts completely into the beef mix. Take it off the heat once it's smooth.
Step 5: Get Your Dish Ready
Spoon the beef mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish, spreading it flat. Sprinkle extra cheese on top if you want.
Step 6: Whip Up the Biscuit Mix
In another bowl, mix the Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix with milk and shredded cheddar. Stir just until mixed – don't go crazy or your biscuits will get tough.
Step 7: Put It All Together
Spoon the biscuit mixture over the beef layer. Don't stress about covering every spot – it'll spread out while baking.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Stick it in a 350°F oven for 35-40 minutes until the biscuits turn golden and you see bubbling around the edges.
Step 9: Make the Garlic Butter
While it's baking, mix the seasoning packet from the box with melted butter. When the cobbler's done, brush this tasty mixture all over the hot biscuits.
Step 10: Let it Cool a Bit
Wait about 5 minutes before digging in. This helps everything firm up so it's easier to serve.
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A bowl of food with a green garnish. | cookscoop.com

I found out how important that cooling time is when I once got impatient and served it right away. Ended up with a soupy mess! Those few minutes really do make all the difference in getting the right texture.

Money-Saving Dinner Ideas

This dish shows how smart cooking can feed a family of four for under $15. Getting ground beef on sale and freezing it, then pairing with canned soups from your pantry, creates an affordable yet totally satisfying dinner. The biscuit mix often goes on sale too, making this perfect for stretching your food budget while still enjoying great taste.

A close up of a delicious casserole. Pin it
A close up of a delicious casserole. | cookscoop.com

Creating Mealtime Memories

My grandma always told me casseroles pull families together, and this one proves her right every time I make it. Kids love helping brush on the garlic butter while grown-ups chat in the kitchen. Something about how this smells while baking just brings everyone to the table without me having to call them, giving us natural time to connect.

Easy Veggie Add-ins by Season

You can switch up this flexible recipe all year long. Summer's great for adding fresh corn or diced zucchini, while fall works well with chunks of butternut squash. Winter versions taste great with frozen veggie mixes, and spring is perfect for fresh peas and bits of asparagus. These extras boost the nutrition and keep the dish feeling fresh no matter when you make it.

Prep-Ahead Options for Busy Days

This cobbler really shines when you need time-saving meals. You can put it all together, cover with foil, and keep in the fridge up to 24 hours before baking. For longer storage, wrap it well and freeze unbaked for up to three months. When you're ready to cook it, thaw overnight in the fridge then bake as usual, just add about 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.

Smart Cook's Shortcuts

  • Toss in a cup of frozen mixed veggies with the beef for extra nutrition
  • Switch to ground turkey if you want something lighter
  • A splash of Worcestershire sauce gives amazing depth of flavor
  • Skip the pre-shredded cheese bags and grate your own for better melting
  • If you like heat, add some chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes

I figured out these little tweaks after making this dish many times - especially that Worcestershire sauce trick, which adds incredible richness without anyone being able to pick out what that special flavor is.

This hearty dish has become a regular at my table during cold weather. It's the type of meal that makes everyone rush to sit down, with its golden biscuit top and cheesy filling promising something good in every bite. Mixing protein-packed ground beef with that beloved Cheddar Bay Biscuit flavor creates something that feels cozy yet special at the same time.

A casserole dish with a slice of pie in it. Pin it
A casserole dish with a slice of pie in it. | cookscoop.com

This Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler shows that knockout comfort food doesn't need to be complicated. By mixing convenient items like biscuit mix with fresh ingredients, you get a dish that feels homemade and special but still fits into everyday cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap out the Cheddar Bay mix?
Sure! If you can't get the mix, use 2 cups of Bisquick or similar. Add 1 cup shredded cheddar, a bit of garlic powder, and a pinch of parsley to get close.
→ Can veggies be added somehow?
Of course! Toss in frozen peas, diced carrots, or a mixed bag of veggies when you add the soup. Fresh veggies? Sauté those first with the onions.
→ What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Pop the leftovers in a sealed container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave portions for 1-2 minutes or warm in a 350°F oven under foil for 20 minutes.
→ Could I assemble this earlier?
Sure thing! Prep the beef mixture, store it in the fridge until you're ready. When baking, bring to room temp, add the cheese and biscuits, then bake.
→ Any side suggestions?
This fills you up on its own, but pairing it with roasted veggies, sautéed greens, or a simple salad makes it extra great.

Cheddar Beef Biscuit Bake

A cozy baked dish of creamy beef sauce topped with loaded Cheddar Bay biscuits. It’s rich, cheesy, and perfect for family meals.

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

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Items

01 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
02 1.5 lbs ground lean beef
03 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup
04 10.5 oz can of cheddar cheese soup
05 1 tablespoon minced garlic
06 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 1/2 teaspoon table salt
08 1/2 cup whole milk
09 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

→ Top Layer

10 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 1 package of Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix
12 1/4 cup melted butter
13 2 cups milk
14 Chopped fresh parsley (optional for decoration)

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and let it heat up.

Step 02

Toss the beef into a big skillet on medium-high. Add the diced onion, break the meat up while cooking, and keep at it until browned all over.

Step 03

When the meat is cooked completely, pour in the cheddar soup, mushroom soup, milk, pepper, and salt. Stir everything around until smooth and blended.

Step 04

Throw 1 cup of shredded cheddar into the skillet, give it another stir, then take it off the stove.

Step 05

Coat a 9 x 13 inch pan with a spray of oil or non-stick spray. Spread the meat mixture into the dish, smoothing it out, and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.

Step 06

Empty the biscuit mix into a bowl (save the seasoning packet for later) and pour in the milk and shredded cheese. Mix it until the batter's smooth.

Step 07

Spread the prepared biscuit batter over the meat mixture in the dish.

Step 08

Slide the dish into your oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top looks golden brown.

Step 09

Pull the dish out once baked. Mix the melted butter with the biscuit seasoning packet, then brush that buttery goodness over the biscuit topping.

Step 10

Let it sit for 5 minutes so the filling gets thicker and butter soaks in. Sprinkle parsley on top if you like. Dish it out and dig in!

Notes

  1. Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix is used for this topping
  2. Letting the dish rest before serving gives better texture

Tools You'll Need

  • Big non-stick skillet
  • 9x13 inch pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Brush for butter

Allergy Information

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

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~