Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
8 -10 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping
Description
The dish begins by sautéing ground beef with onion until fully cooked and seasoned with salt and pepper. Tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water are simmered with the beef mixture to develop a rich sauce. In a baking dish, half of the meat sauce is spread, layered with mozzarella cheese, then topped with a blend of peas, carrots, and corn. Another layer of cheese and the remaining meat sauce follow, capped with additional mozzarella.
The final layer is made by slicing refrigerated flaky biscuits in half lengthwise, arranging these biscuit halves overlapping in rows on top, creating a golden, flaky crust once baked at 375ºF. The dish is heated until the biscuit topping is cooked through and golden, while the filling is bubbling hot.
This casserole provides a mix of textures from tender vegetables and meat to the flaky biscuit topping, merging Italian flavors with American-style comfort food presentation. It can serve as a hearty main dish suitable for family meals or casual gatherings.
The recipe is adapted from Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off, indicating the biscuit topping is a distinctive element contributing to its flaky texture.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- salt
- black pepper
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tomato sauce 8 oz can
- 1 tomato paste 6 oz can
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups pea thawed, frozen, or any mixed vegetables
- 1 1/2 cups carrot
- 1 1/2 cups corn
- 1 flaky layer biscuits 16 oz can refrigerated
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano crushed, dried
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, breaking up as it cooks. When it is about half-way cooked through, add the onion and continue to cook until the onion is soft and the ground beef is fully cooked. Drain, if necessary, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the 3/4 cup water, tomato sauce and tomato paste. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Spread half of the hot meat mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 2/3 cup of the mozzarella, then spread the vegetables evenly over the cheese. Top with another 2/3 cup of mozzarella. Spread the remaining meat mixture over the top. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
- Open the biscuits and split each biscuit in half lengthwise, making 16 thinner biscuits. Arrange layers of the biscuits over the top, overlapping, in 3 rows of 5 each. (You will have one half of a biscuit leftover.)
- Brush the melted butter over the tops of the biscuits. Sprinkle with the oregano. Bake the casserole until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
Notes
- This recipe is slightly adapted from Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off.
- Use refrigerated flaky biscuits split lengthwise for a flaky topping that bakes golden.
- Layering vegetables with mozzarella cheese between meat sauce layers adds texture and flavor.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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