Ingredients
1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80–90% lean)
1 can (about 10–16 oz / 280–450 g) refrigerated biscuit dough
1 can (10.5 oz / 295 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken), undiluted
Salt and black pepper, to taste (optional but recommended)
Cooking spray or a little oil, for greasing the baking dish
Directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch (or similar) baking dish with cooking spray or a thin film of oil.
Ground beef browning in a skillet
Ground beef browning in a skillet
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is fully browned and no pink remains, 6–8 minutes. If there is a lot of excess fat, carefully spoon some off. Season the beef lightly with salt and black pepper, if using.
Reduce the heat to low and stir the condensed cream of mushroom soup into the cooked beef until the mixture is evenly combined and bubbling gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with a bit more salt and pepper if needed.
Beef and soup mixture being spread into a baking dish
Beef and soup mixture being spread into a baking dish
Transfer the beef and soup mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer so the biscuits will bake uniformly on top.
Open the can of refrigerated biscuits. Separate the biscuits and arrange them in a single layer over the beef mixture. It’s fine if there are small gaps; the biscuits will expand as they bake.
Unbaked casserole topped with biscuit dough
Unbaked casserole topped with biscuit dough
Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed and deep golden brown on top and the beef mixture is bubbling around the edges.
Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This brief rest allows the filling to thicken slightly and makes it easier to scoop and serve. Serve warm, making sure each portion gets both biscuits and plenty of the beefy gravy underneath.
Variations & Tips
Because this recipe is so streamlined, it’s easy to adapt it to your taste or what you have on hand. For a cheesier version, sprinkle 1 to 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar or Colby Jack over the beef mixture before adding the biscuits; the cheese will melt into a gooey layer under the biscuit topping.
Cheesy variation of beef and biscuit bake
Cheesy variation of beef and biscuit bake
If you’d like more vegetables, stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of thawed frozen mixed vegetables or peas and carrots with the soup and beef—this turns it into more of a one-pan meal. You can also swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery to change the flavor profile slightly.
For a bit more depth, season the beef while browning with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce. If you prefer a lighter dish, use leaner ground beef or substitute part of the beef with ground turkey. Finally, if your biscuits are browning too quickly before the filling is bubbly, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last few minutes of baking to protect the tops while the center finishes cooking.
