BBQ Chili Cheese Biscuit Casserole features a layer of BBQ beef chili (and some added veggies) topped with homemade cheesy biscuits! This is a comfort food recipe that always hits the spot.
Enjoy more of the very best chili recipes like Instant Pot Chili, Easy Vegetarian Chili and The BEST White Chicken Chili recipe!
Table of Contents
- Reader Review
- Why we love this Chili Cheese Casserole:
- Chili Ingredients Needed:
- Biscuit Ingredients Needed:
- How to make this easy Casserole recipe
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to store leftover Chili Casserole
- Can I freeze this casserole?
- Serving suggestions:
- More Casserole Recipes You’ll Love!
- BBQ Chili Cheese Biscuit Casserole Recipe
For more than a decade now I’ve been creating ways to load up all of our family dinners with protein, fibre and nutritious veggies, and this BBQ Chili Cheese Biscuit Casserole is no exception!
The magic starts with the beefy BBQ chili that’s loaded with lots of hidden veggies. As if that wasn’t enticing enough, we’re taking things to the next level with homemade biscuits and as much cheese as your heart desires!
Whether it’s just a weeknight dinner with family or a big game day potluck, you’re going to love how quickly this chili cheese casserole disappears.
Reader Review
“WOW!! Amazing casserole, the combination of the flavour and the vegetables make this dish one the best casserole, my friends enjoy a lot” — Norma
Why we love this Chili Cheese Casserole:
- Hidden Veggies: The chili is loaded with zucchini, carrots, bell peppers and tomatoes… but that’s our little secret!
- Filling: This ground beef casserole is hearty enough that it will give you loads of energy through the day! The beans, beef and biscuits really hit the spot.
- Homemade: Yes! Even the biscuits are made completely from scratch and with lots of love.
Chili Ingredients Needed:
- Ground Beef – Feel free to swap this with ground chicken or ground turkey if preferred.
- Beans – Use either black beans or kidney beans. Either way, just make sure the beans are rinsed and drained.
- BBQ Sauce – If you’re feeling fancy, try the best Homemade BBQ Sauce!
- Ketchup – There’s just enough ketchup in the mix to add sweet and tangy flavor to the chili.
- Onion – You can use a white or yellow onion.
- Veggies – There’s a nutritious mix of diced tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini and carrots in this chili!
- Chili Powder – This is what creates the very best flavor in your chili.
Biscuit Ingredients Needed:
- Flour – It’s best to spoon the flour into the measuring cup. If you dunk the cup straight into the bag, you’ll pack the flour in there.
- Milk – Have a little extra ready to go just in case you need it.
- Butter – It needs to be cold!
- Cheese – For the very best flavor and texture, grate the cheese yourself (but you can swap for any kind you like!).
- Salt and Garlic Powder
- Baking Powder – Make sure it’s not expired! Baking powder should be used within 6 months of opening the container.
How to make this easy Casserole recipe
While it may be made from scratch, don’t worry – this casserole comes together in no time! For the full list of step by step instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Cook the ground beef, carrots, peppers and onions until the beef is browned.
- Mix in the tomatoes, zucchini, beans, bbq sauce and seasonings. Cook for 10 minutes (or until veggies are tender). Spread into a baking dish.
- Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Cut in the cold butter and then add the milk.
- Roll out and cut into circles (or whichever shape you like!)
- Add biscuits to chili and bake until golden,
- Top with shredded cheese and bake until melted.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it vegetarian: You can swap the chili recipe entirely for my favorite Vegetarian Chili! It’s still hearty and savory, just without the meat.
- Use store-bought biscuits: You can buy refrigerated biscuit dough and plop it on top of the chili instead of making your own, though the biscuit dough in this recipe comes together easily in the 10 minutes you simmer the chili on the stove.
- Use pre-made chili: If you’re really in a time crunch, you can use canned chili or chili you’ve made ahead and frozen.
- Add more veggies: You could also add in spinach, kale, mushrooms, corn or other vegetables your family likes (or doesn’t like but you want them to eat!).
How to store leftover Chili Casserole
You can store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time or until warmed all the way through.
For crisper biscuits, add a splash of water to the chili and reheat in the oven on convect until heated through.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Assemble the whole dish without the cheese and freeze. To bake, let it first defrost in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 2-3 hours. Sprinkle on the cheese just before it’s finished baking.
Serving suggestions:
This chili can be enjoyed as a well-rounded meal all by itself! If you do want to pair it with a side, consider something on the lighter side since this casserole is so hearty. I love easy sides like Air Fryer Broccoli and Roasted Green Beans!
More Casserole Recipes You’ll Love!
BBQ Chili Cheese Biscuit Casserole
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Chili:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 large carrots (peeled and shredded or finely chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (finely diced)
- ½ large onion (finely diced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (796ml or 28 oz)
- 1 small zucchini (shredded)
- 1 can black or kidney beans, drained and rinsed (19 oz or 540 ml)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Biscuits
- 3 cups flour (all purpose or whole wheat)
- 1½ tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- ¾ cup cold butter
- ¾ cup milk (additional if needed)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13" baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, carrots, pepper and onion until beef is browned and vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add in diced tomatoes, zucchini, beans, barbecue sauce, chili powder and salt. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Spread into prepared baking dish.
Biscuits
- In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.
- Cut butter into ½" cubes and add to the flour mixture, cutting in until crumbly. Stir in milk gradually, stirring in just enough that the dough comes together. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into biscuit rounds if desired (or just cut it into squares) — I like to do 3 rows of 3.
- Place biscuits on top of chili in baking dish. Brushed with melted butter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until light golden brown. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve.
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Beef: feel free to swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken, or even use this Vegetarian Chili for a meatless meal.
- Vegetables: this is a great recipe for sneaking in all kinds of vegetables and cleaning out the fridge! Feel free to add in whatever you have and need to get rid of.
- Ketchup and barbecue sauce: we love the sweet and tangy flavors in these, but if you prefer you can substitute with plain tomato sauce. You will want to add additional seasonings if you go this route!
- Biscuits: you can use refrigerate, store-bought biscuits for a shortcut here.
To make ahead:
Cook chili and make biscuit dough. Wrap biscuit dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cool chili to room temperature and refrigerate. When ready to bake, spread chili in baking dish and top with biscuit rounds. Proceed with the recipe.To freeze:
Assemble completely, minus the cheese, and freeze. To bake, thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for 2-3 hours. Sprinkle on cheese just before it’s finished baking.Nutrition Information
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Sara says
This was a home-run recipe for us tonight. I love the “hidden” veggies for extra nutrition. A few modifications that I made: I used 1.5 lbs of ground beef instead of 1 lb and just added a little extra ketchup and bbq sauce to balance it out. I also used store-bought (Pillsbury) biscuits instead of making from scratch to save time. I used a large frying pan (the Always pan) on the stove for the chili so I was able to use that in the oven as well, thus not needing the 9×13 and saving a dish.
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Sara! I’m glad you liked it!
Susan says
Do you cook the chili in dutch oven and then transfer to a shallow casserole for the oven?
This looks delicious! Definitely going to make.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Susan! You use either a large oven safe skillet or dutch oven. You’ll see the instructions for it in the recipe card. Enjoy!
norma says
WOW!! Amazing casserole, the combination of the flavour and the vegetables make this dish one the best casserole, my friends enjoy a lot .Good job and thank you for sheering your delicious recipes.
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you so much Norma! I’m glad you liked it!
Joy says
Can you use Pillsbury Grands biscuits
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, definitely!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Oh mah gooooosh! This casserole is EVERYTHING! Seriously, ALL the swooning going down right now because this looks just too good! Really, there is just no beating biscuits chili, bbq, and cheese all hanging out in one pan!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I love your enthusiasm! Lol. It was a BIG hit here 😉
Brielle @ Breezy Bakes says
This looked so good on Instagram that I had to come check it out. Looks even better on the bigger screen. Yum! I love a good old BBQ chili. And topped with biscuits??? Doesn’t get much better.
I love that you load it with veggies. Get them where you can!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Brielle! I totally agree! I try to sneak them in everywhere 😉
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
What great comfort food! This casserole would disappear in a hurry around here!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jessica! I know it did here!
Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says
Mmmm comfort food… looks delicious! Veggies snuck in = winning.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Natasha!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Chili with bbq sauce sounds delicious! Yum!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Laura! I add barbecue sauce to everything! Lol
Kelly says
This casserole looks SO flavorful and amazing! My son is definitely starting to become a picky eater so I am loving all the veggies you snuck in here! Yes to the cheese, bbq sauce and chili! It’s the perfect comforting dish!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kelly! Sometimes it’s the only way I can get them all in — and you never taste them!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
oh my gawd, Ashley!!!! this looks amazing!!! damn, I want a biscuit now!!! Happy New Year!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Alice! Happy New Year to you!
The Duo Dishes says
It’s definitely the season for this type of food, especially with football on every week. Chili is at the top of the list when it comes to comfort food!
Ashley Fehr says
I totally agree! This would be perfect for those game days!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Had to come back – we had snow (if you looked really close) a couple of weeks ago, but today it was cold for here – 34 degrees! I have a few chili recipes that are my own concoctions that I would be happy to share with you to see what you think. I can e-mail them to you if you are interested. Let me know. 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Dorothy! I’d love for you to send me some of your chili recipes to try! thereciperebel@gmail.com — thanks!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Everything in one bowl is my kind of comfort food! In fact, I’m making one of my chili dishes for supper tonight and my timing is good – it snowed here today! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Was that your first snow?!? We only got snow about the middle of December which is really late for us, but I’d been waiting for it for so long! Now I’m almost ready for Spring 😉 I wish we were having chili for supper tonight!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
This chili is mouthwatering. I love that vegetables are hidden throughout. And the biscuits are the perfect way to top chili! Happy New Year, friend!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jen! I’m wishing we had some for dinner tonight! Happy New Year to you 🙂
Summer says
These must be incredibly yummy! They look so nice ♥
summerdaisy.net
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Summer!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love how you snuck some veggies in here, Ashley! My husband is sort of picky too, so I bet he wouldn’t even notice the kale and carrots in here. And I love any kind of chili, so this biscuit casserole sounds amazing! This looks like the perfect comfort food for the snow that headed my way!