Get ready for a dinner that will have everyone running to the table. This Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler is the ultimate comfort food, combining a rich, savory ground beef filling with a fluffy, cheesy, and garlicky biscuit topping inspired by the famous Red Lobster biscuits. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that’s surprisingly easy to make, perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend supper. If you’re looking for a dish that feels indulgent but comes together with simple ingredients, you’ve found it.
Why You’ll Love This Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler Recipe
This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a complete flavor experience that transforms simple ground beef into something truly special. Here’s why this recipe will become a permanent fixture in your meal rotation:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The savory beef filling, simmered with onions, garlic, and a rich tomato-based sauce, creates a perfect base for the iconic Cheddar Bay biscuit topping.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, this dish is accessible for cooks of all skill levels. It’s a one-skillet meal that minimizes cleanup.
- Family-Approved Comfort: This dish is pure comfort in a skillet. It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it a perfect choice for a family dinner. For another family favorite, try this amazing ground beef and potato casserole.
- Perfectly Textured: You get the hearty, meaty filling on the bottom and a soft, fluffy, cheesy biscuit layer on top, creating a delightful contrast in every single bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Ground Beef Filling
- Ground Beef: 1.5 lbs of lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works best).
- Yellow Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Beef Broth: 1 cup of low-sodium beef broth.
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon for a deep, savory flavor.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: 1.5 cups (a mix of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans).
- Seasoning: 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and smoked paprika, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon.
For the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups.
- Baking Powder: 1 tablespoon.
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Cold Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), cubed.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, shredded.
- Milk: 3/4 cup.
- Melted Butter Topping: 1/4 cup of melted butter mixed with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a perfect Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler every time.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Build the Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
- Simmer the Filling: Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables.
- Make the Biscuit Dough: While the filling simmers, prepare the topping. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Form the Biscuits: Gradually add the milk, stirring gently with a fork until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Assemble the Cobbler: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the simmering ground beef filling in the skillet.

Baking the Cobbler
Now that your cobbler is assembled, it’s time for the final step.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the Garlic Butter: As soon as you take it out of the oven, brush the top of the biscuits with the melted garlic-parsley butter.
- Rest and Serve: Let the cobbler rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Beef Cobbler
Want to ensure your cobbler is absolutely flawless? Here are a few expert tips:
- Use Cold Butter: For the flakiest, fluffiest biscuit topping, make sure your butter is very cold. This creates steam pockets as it bakes, resulting in a lighter texture.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the biscuit dough until it just comes together. Overworking it can develop the gluten and make the topping tough instead of tender.
- Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: A cast-iron skillet is perfect for this recipe as it goes directly from the stovetop to the oven, making for easier cleanup. If you don’t have one, simply transfer the filling to a 9×13 inch baking dish before adding the biscuit topping.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: For the best melt and flavor, use a block of sharp cheddar and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect the texture. Looking for more cheesy goodness? Check out this crockpot mac and cheese recipe.

Delicious Variations to Try
This Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler is fantastic as is, but it’s also easy to customize!
- Add a Kick: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the beef filling for a little heat.
- Different Veggies: Feel free to swap the mixed vegetables for sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Change the Meat: This recipe works wonderfully with ground turkey or ground chicken as well. If you love ground turkey, you might also enjoy this ground turkey and sweet potato bake.
- Herb Variations: Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the beef filling for a more complex, earthy flavor.
What to Serve with Your Cobbler
This is a hearty, all-in-one meal, but a simple side dish can round it out perfectly. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or a side of steamed green beans or broccoli complements the richness of the cobbler beautifully.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, reheat individual portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps the biscuit topping crisp up again. You can also microwave it, but the topping will be softer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the ground beef filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, reheat the filling on the stovetop until simmering, then top with freshly made biscuit dough and bake as directed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until the filling is hot and the biscuit topping is crisp.
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef in this recipe. You can also use ground chicken or even ground pork with excellent results.
This dish is very hearty on its own, so simple sides work best. A fresh green salad, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or glazed carrots are all excellent choices to round out the meal.
You certainly can. To adapt, prepare 2 cups of Bisquick mix according to the package directions for drop biscuits, then stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder before dropping it onto the filling.
The Ultimate Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler Recipe

Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler (The Ultimate Comfort Food!)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables.
- While the filling simmers, prepare the topping. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and garlic powder. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Gradually add the milk, stirring gently with a fork until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the simmering ground beef filling. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown and cooked through.
- While the cobbler bakes, mix together the melted butter, garlic powder, and fresh parsley. As soon as the cobbler comes out of the oven, brush the top of the biscuits with the garlic butter. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your butter is very cold when making the biscuit dough to achieve a light and fluffy topping.
Tip 3: A cast-iron skillet works perfectly for this recipe, allowing for a seamless transition from stovetop to oven.
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