Hearty, filling, and undeniably comforting, this Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping is the ultimate answer for an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner that truly satisfies.
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If you’re a fan of comforting casseroles that bring everyone to the table, you’ll also want to explore our Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole.
Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping: The Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner
Embrace the Comfort Season: The Timeless Allure of Casseroles
Every year, the cycle repeats. I find myself longing for the warmth and sunshine of spring, eager to bid farewell to the chill of winter. Yet, as the weather begins its gradual shift and the first signs of spring appear on the horizon, a surprising urge takes over: the desire to create and savor all the comforting dishes I associate with cooler months. Let’s be honest, I’m a comfort food enthusiast at heart, and there’s something truly redeeming about the cozy culinary experiences winter brings. Even as we transition into warmer weather, the appeal of a hearty, bubbling casserole remains strong. It’s a meal that transcends seasons, offering solace and satisfaction whether it’s snowing outside or the sun is shining.
While you’ll soon start to see lighter, more seasonal recipes making an appearance, I’m still passionately embracing the world of comfort food. And I have a strong feeling you won’t mind one bit. There’s simply nothing quite like a well-made casserole to gather the family around the dinner table, providing warmth, flavor, and a sense of togetherness, regardless of the temperature outdoors. This Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping perfectly embodies that timeless appeal, making it a beloved choice in any season.
Discovering a New Family Favorite: The Story Behind This Italian Beef Casserole
The best recipes often find you when you least expect them. One afternoon, while leisurely browsing through a favorite cookbook, searching for a completely different meal idea, my eyes landed upon a recipe for an Italian Ground Beef Casserole. This particular cookbook has been a treasure trove of culinary inspiration for me, consistently unveiling new and exciting dishes I’m eager to try. Without hesitation, I did the only logical thing: I immediately added it to our upcoming menu plan. Little did I know, this simple discovery would lead to a new family favorite that would quickly earn a permanent spot in our meal rotation.
Unpacking the Deliciousness: What Makes This Italian Ground Beef Casserole So Special
This Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping isn’t just easy; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s an ideal choice for both a busy weeknight dinner and a more relaxed Sunday supper, requiring minimal fuss for maximum flavor payoff. Let’s break down what makes this casserole an absolute winner:
The Core Components: Flavorful Ground Beef and Rich Tomato Sauce
At the heart of this satisfying dish is a robust and savory ground beef mixture. Lean ground beef is browned to perfection, then simmered in a rich, deeply flavored tomato sauce. This foundational layer provides the classic Italian taste that makes the casserole so comforting and familiar. The combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste creates a wonderfully thick and hearty base, absorbing all the delicious spices and seasonings.
Layers of Goodness: Vegetables and Melted Cheese
Building on the flavorful beef base, this casserole incorporates a vibrant medley of vegetables. We use frozen peas, carrots, and corn for ultimate convenience, but feel free to customize with your family’s favorites like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach. These vegetables add essential nutrients, color, and texture, enhancing the overall appeal. And of course, no casserole is complete without cheese! Generous layers of shredded mozzarella cheese are sprinkled throughout, melting into a gooey, irresistible blanket that perfectly complements the savory beef and tender vegetables.
The Star Topping: Flaky Biscuits for an Irresistible Finish
What truly elevates this Italian Ground Beef Casserole is its unique biscuit topping. We opt for refrigerated flaky biscuits, split in half to create lighter, more numerous pieces. These are then artfully arranged over the cheesy, meaty layers, providing a golden, buttery crust that bakes up beautifully. While ambitious cooks might enjoy making biscuits from scratch, the convenience of store-bought flaky biscuits is unmatched and yields a truly delightful result – a shortcut I embrace without a single regret!
A Meal for Any Occasion: From Weeknights to Sunday Suppers
The beauty of this casserole lies in its versatility. It’s hearty enough to be a standalone meal, providing a complete and satisfying dinner that fuels busy families. Its ease of preparation makes it a go-to for hectic weeknights when time is short, yet it feels special enough to serve as a comforting centerpiece for a relaxed Sunday supper. This dish proves that comfort food can be both simple to make and incredibly fulfilling, tasting wonderful at any time of year.
Tips for Perfecting Your Italian Ground Beef Casserole
Choosing Your Beef and Veggies for Optimal Flavor
For the ground beef, a lean blend works well to avoid excessive grease, but if you prefer a richer flavor, a slightly higher fat content is fine, just be sure to drain any excess fat thoroughly. When it comes to vegetables, don’t feel limited to peas, carrots, and corn. Diced bell peppers, chopped mushrooms, or even a handful of fresh spinach wilted into the meat mixture can add wonderful new dimensions. Just ensure frozen vegetables are thawed before adding them to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
The Biscuit Topping Dilemma: Store-Bought vs. Homemade
While this recipe champions the convenience of refrigerated flaky biscuits, feel free to make your own if you have the time and inclination. A homemade biscuit topping will add a delightful touch of extra richness and flavor. However, the store-bought variety provides an incredibly easy and delicious shortcut that makes this casserole accessible even on the busiest evenings. Splitting the biscuits lengthwise helps them bake evenly and provides more surface area for that golden, buttery crust.
Customizing Your Casserole: Variations to Explore
This Italian Ground Beef Casserole is highly adaptable. Experiment with different cheeses; a blend of mozzarella and provolone, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan, can add depth. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce. Italian sausage can be substituted for or combined with ground beef for an even more robust flavor. Don’t hesitate to adjust seasonings to your preference, adding more garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of your favorite Italian herb blend.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions for Ultimate Convenience
This casserole is fantastic for meal prep! You can assemble the entire dish, minus the biscuit topping, up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Add the biscuits just before baking. For freezing, assemble the casserole (again, without the biscuits), cover it tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before topping with biscuits and baking as directed. This makes it an ideal option for future quick meals.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal
To round out your meal, serve this hearty Italian Ground Beef Casserole with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette. A side of garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. It also pairs wonderfully with a simple steamed vegetable like broccoli or green beans, providing a balanced and utterly satisfying family dinner.
More Comforting Casseroles You’ll Love:
Taco Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Puffed Up Pizza Casserole
Tuna Casserole
Green Chile Casserole
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Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping
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Hearty, filling, and family-friendly, this Italian Ground Beef Casserole with Biscuit Topping is the perfect answer for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, carrots and corn (or any mixed vegetables) thawed
- 1 16 oz can refrigerated flaky layer biscuits
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. When it is about halfway 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.
Recipe Notes:
Slightly adapted from Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off