Savory Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler
Make a comforting Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler! This easy recipe features a savory ground beef filling topped with fluffy, cheesy garlic biscuits reminiscent of Red Lobster’s famous ones.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column, assumes 1 lb ground beef)
For the Ground Beef Filling:
- ▢ 1 lb ground beef
- ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 1 medium onion, chopped
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning (Note: Recipe text lists thyme & paprika separately)
- ▢ 1/2 tsp paprika (As listed in text)
- ▢ 1/2 tsp dried thyme (As listed in text)
- ▢ 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ▢ 1/2 cup beef broth
- ▢ Salt and pepper, to taste
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Biscuit Topping:
- ▢ 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- ▢ 1 tbsp baking powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- ▢ 1/4 tsp salt
- ▢ 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed into small pieces
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1/2 cup whole milk
- ▢ 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For Garlic Butter Brushing (Optional):
- ▢ 2 tbsp melted butter
- ▢ 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- ▢ 1 tsp chopped parsley
Instructions
1. Prepare Oven and Dish:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a suitable baking dish (like a 9×9 inch square, 11×7 inch rectangle, or a 10-inch oven-safe skillet).
2. Make the Beef Filling:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain off any excess fat thoroughly.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the paprika, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- If not using an oven-safe skillet, transfer this beef mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
3. Make the Biscuit Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- Add the cubes of cold unsalted butter to the flour mixture.
- Using a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Stir in the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the optional chopped fresh parsley.
- Add the milk and stir with a fork or spatula just until the dough comes together and is moistened. Do not overmix; the dough should be slightly shaggy.
4. Top and Bake:
- Drop large spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the hot beef filling in the skillet or baking dish.
- Gently spread the dough slightly with the back of the spoon to cover most (but not necessarily all) of the surface. A rustic, bumpy topping is expected.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through (a toothpick inserted into a biscuit should come out clean).
5. Brush with Garlic Butter (Optional) and Serve:
- While the cobbler bakes (during the last few minutes), prepare the optional garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix the 2 tablespoons of melted butter with the 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon chopped parsley.
- As soon as the cobbler comes out of the oven, immediately brush the hot biscuit topping with the prepared garlic butter.
- Let the Cheddar Bay Ground Beef Cobbler sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly.
- Serve warm, scooping portions of the filling and biscuit topping together.