Cheddar Bay Hamburger Casserole in One Skillet Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To elevate the flavor of this casserole, try shredding your own cheddar cheese from a block rather than buying pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly, which can affect the gooey cheese stretch shown in the video.

Sharp cheddar or extra-sharp cheddar provides the best contrast to the rich, savory beef gravy, but you can also mix in a little Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a touch of spice.

If you want to add more depth to the beef gravy, consider stirring in a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard before combining it with the beef. These simple additions enhance the savory umami flavor of the beef.

Additionally, ensure your biscuit dough is fresh and cold when dolloped onto the hot gravy, as the temperature contrast helps the biscuits rise higher and become lighter and fluffier during baking.

Variations

• Spicy Jalapeno Cheddar: Add finely diced fresh jalapenos to the ground beef mixture while browning, and fold extra diced jalapenos into the biscuit dough for a spicy kick.
• Bacon and Mushroom: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the ground beef, and stir crumbled cooked bacon into the biscuit dough for an extra savory, smoky flavor profile.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze the baked casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheat

Reheat in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 15 minutes, or microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals.

Let the casserole cool to room temperature for no more than two hours before storing to ensure food safety. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.

The biscuits will soften slightly in the fridge due to the moisture from the gravy, but they will regain some of their crispy texture when reheated properly in the oven rather than the microwave.

The seasoned ground beef and gravy mixture can be prepared up to one day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, reheat the beef mixture in the skillet on the stovetop until warm and bubbling, then prepare or scoop the fresh biscuit dough, dollop it on top, and bake as directed. This makes weeknight assembly incredibly fast.

Serving ideas

Serve this hearty casserole hot, straight from the cast-iron skillet, using a large serving spoon to scoop up a whole biscuit along with a generous portion of the rich beef gravy and seasoned beef underneath.

The dish is a complete, satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the beef and cheese.

For a complete family dinner, you can also serve this casserole alongside steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple coleslaw. The fresh, crisp texture of vegetable sides provides a wonderful contrast to the soft, comforting layers of the casserole. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped chives just before serving for a beautiful pop of color and freshness.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Cheddar Bay Hamburger Casserole in One Skillet

Prep 5 minCook 20 minRest 5 minTotal 30 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb seasoned ground beef
• 2 cups beef gravy, store-bought or made ahead
• 1 lb Cheddar Bay biscuit dough, store-bought or made ahead
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes until completely browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
2. Pour the beef gravy into the skillet with the browned ground beef. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until hot and bubbling.
3. Drop the Cheddar Bay biscuit dough by rounded tablespoons evenly over the simmering beef and gravy mixture in the skillet, leaving slight spaces between the dollops to allow the biscuits to expand.
4. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the biscuits are puffed and golden brown. Ensure the ground beef underneath is fully cooked and has reached a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the hot biscuits. Return the skillet to the oven or broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheddar is completely melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

480

Protein

26 g

Carbohydrates

24 g

Fat

31 g

Fiber

1 g

Sugar

2 g

Sodium

890 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.