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Hillbilly Pie

A budget-friendly, cheesy casserole that brings comfort to busy weeknights with a delicious blend of ground beef, veggies, and buttery biscuit or mashed potato topping.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey) Use turkey for a lighter option
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 10.5 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
  • 1 10.5 oz can condensed tomato soup or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained Optional for brighter flavor
  • 1 cup frozen corn (or mixed vegetables)
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (8 biscuits) OR 2 cups prepared mashed potatoes As a topping
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 cup cooked rice To stretch the filling
  • 1 cream of celery If that’s what’s in your pantry
  • a few dashes of hot sauce For a gentle kick

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft.
  2. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds, then add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
  3. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if needed. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and tomato soup or drained diced tomatoes (if using). Add corn, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Spoon the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar over the top.
Topping
  1. Option A — Biscuit topping: Arrange the refrigerated biscuits on top of the cheese, spacing them evenly.
  2. Option B — Mashed potato topping: Dollop mashed potatoes across the surface and spread evenly (for a shepherd’s-pie vibe).
Baking
  1. Bake uncovered for 18–25 minutes, until the biscuits are golden and cooked through or the mashed potato topping is lightly browned and the filling bubbles at the edges.
  2. If using biscuits, broil the top for 1–2 minutes for deeper color—watch carefully to avoid burning.
Serving
  1. Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  2. Serve warm with a simple green salad or steamed veggies.

Notes

Use a hot skillet when browning the meat to get better flavor. If the filling looks soupy, it will thicken as it bakes. For vegetarian, replace meat with lentils or a plant-based substitute. Store leftovers in the fridge or freeze for up to 2 months.