Description
Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, and layers of cheddar cheese topped with fluffy biscuit dough. This easy-to-make casserole combines rich flavors and textures, perfect for family dinners or potlucks, delivering a satisfying meal in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- About 2 cups frozen biscuit dough or homemade dough chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating ensures even cooking and helps the casserole bake perfectly.
- Cook Beef and Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is browned and onions are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain excess fat to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Mix Creamy Sauce: Add cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir thoroughly until well combined, creating a creamy and flavorful beef mixture.
- Assemble Beef Layer: Spread the beef mixture evenly in a greased baking dish for uniform cooking. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over this layer to add rich cheesy flavor.
- Add Biscuit Topping: Scatter biscuit dough pieces evenly over the cheese layer. The dough will expand during baking, so coverage doesn’t need to be perfect.
- Finish with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the biscuit dough, which will create a golden, bubbly crust as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until biscuits are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps it set and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Drain excess fat from the cooked beef for a less greasy casserole.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- Frozen biscuit dough can be used as a shortcut, or homemade biscuit dough chunks can be substituted for a scratch version.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps the layers set for cleaner serving.
