Name: Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef; 1 onion, chopped; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; 3 cups tomato sauce; 1 cup salsa; 4 1/2 tablespoons chili seasoning mix; 15 ounce can light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup cornmeal; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup cold Land O Lakes® Butter; 1 cup buttermilk; 4 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 11 reviews

If you’re craving a hearty, comforting dish that brings together the best of cheesy, spicy, and biscuit goodness, you’ve absolutely got to try this Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe. It’s a crowd-pleaser with layers of flavorful chili, melty cheddar cheese, and fluffy, golden biscuits baked to perfection on top. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or entertaining guests, this recipe offers a satisfying combination of textures and bold flavors that hit all the right spots. Dive in and get ready to fall in love with every cheesy, chili-spiced bite.

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows a white pot filled with a dark brown stew base, which looks thick and rich. On top of the stew, there are seven uneven scoops of light yellow dough placed in a circular pattern, each scoop textured and rough on the surface. The edges of the pot are visible and slightly stained with the stew, and the background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe lies in its straightforward yet essential ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating those rich, layered flavors and satisfying textures—from the savory ground beef to the tangy salsa and the buttery, tender biscuits on top.

2 pounds ground beef: Provides the hearty protein base and rich flavor for the chili.

1 onion (chopped): Adds a subtle sweetness and depth when sautéed with the beef.
1 teaspoon ground black pepper: Gives a gentle kick of warmth that brightens the chili.
½ teaspoon garlic salt: Enhances the savory elements with a touch of garlicky saltiness.

3 cups tomato sauce: Creates a smooth, tangy base to meld all chili ingredients together.
1 cup salsa: Adds zest, texture, and a hint of spice for complexity.
4 ½ tablespoons chili seasoning mix: Brings essential chili spices that define the dish’s signature flavor.

15 ounce can light red kidney beans (rinsed and drained): Adds body and soft texture, complementing the meat.
15 ounce can dark red kidney beans (rinsed and drained): Offers contrast with a deeper color and earthy bite.
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The main structure for those fluffy, tender biscuits.

⅔ cup cornmeal: Adds a slight crunch and subtle sweet note to the biscuits.
2 tablespoons sugar: Balances the savory chili with a touch of sweetness in the biscuit topping.
1 tablespoon baking powder: Ensures the biscuits rise perfectly and stay light.

½ teaspoon salt: Elevates all the flavors in the biscuit dough.
½ cup cold Land O Lakes® Butter: Makes the biscuits wonderfully flaky and rich.
1 cup buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture to create soft, tender biscuits.

4 cups mild cheddar cheese: Brings gooey, melty richness that crowns the chili spectacularly.

How to Make Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Chili Base

Start by browning the ground beef with the chopped onion in a large saucepan over medium heat. This step is key as it develops savory depth and sweet undertones as the onion softens. After about 10 minutes, once the beef is fully cooked and the onion is tender, drain any excess grease to keep things from getting too heavy.

Step 2: Simmer the Chili

Add the black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix, and both cans of kidney beans—light and dark red—to your beef mixture. Stir everything together well, then turn the heat down to medium-low and let it simmer for 20 minutes. This simmering is where the magic happens, allowing all those spices and ingredients to mingle and deepen in flavor while you prepare your biscuit topping.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Make sure your oven is ready to go by preheating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the bake cooks evenly and your biscuits come out perfectly golden and flaky.

Step 4: Prepare the Biscuit Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold Land O Lakes® Butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—this is what creates the irresistible biscuit texture. Then stir in the buttermilk just until everything comes together into a soft dough.

Step 5: Assemble the Bake

Pour the simmered chili into a 9x13 inch baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the 4 cups of shredded mild cheddar cheese over the top for a melty, cheesy layer that will hold the biscuits in place.

Step 6: Add the Biscuits and Bake

Drop the biscuit dough by ¼ cup scoops on top of the cheese and chili mixture. You’ll get 12 biscuits total, so arrange them in a neat 3 by 4 grid. Pop it in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Keep an eye out for that gorgeous golden brown biscuit topping—that’s your signal that this delicious meal is ready to enjoy.

How to Serve Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a baked dish with several golden-brown biscuit-like layers on top. The top layer is fluffy and slightly crispy with a light golden color and uneven texture, sprinkled with a hint of melted cheese. Below the biscuit layer, there is a thick, dark brown filling that looks rich and moist, partially visible as a scoop is being lifted out with a spoon. The dish is in a large white round pot with a slightly browned edge, placed on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is holding the spoon inside the pot, lifting one portion of the dish, with the creamy biscuit layer clearly shown above the darker filling. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding garnishes can take this homestyle dish from comforting to show-stopping. Try sprinkling chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top to bring a fresh burst of color and brightness. A dollop of sour cream adds creamy coolness that contrasts beautifully with the cheesy chili and flaky biscuits.

Side Dishes

This bake is quite filling on its own, but you can round it out with some refreshing sides. A crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Roasted veggies or corn on the cob also complement the southwestern flavors without competing.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to switch things up for a casual gathering, serve this Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe family-style and let everyone scoop their own portions. For a fun twist, break apart the baked biscuits and use them as dipping pieces alongside a bowl of extra chili or cheesy sauce on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover any leftover bake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 to 4 days to keep flavors fresh and textures just right.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully if you want to save some for later. Wrap the cooled Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe tightly with foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for up to 2 months, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Warm it in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven until heated through and the biscuits regain some of their original crispiness—about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, though the biscuits won’t stay quite as crisp this way.

FAQs

Can I use shredded chicken instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! Shredded chicken works wonderfully in this recipe and offers a lighter twist. Just cook and season it similarly before adding to your chili base.

Is there a vegetarian version of this Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe?

Yes, feel free to swap the ground beef for a plant-based meat substitute or simply load up the chili with extra beans and veggies to keep it hearty and satisfying.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries! You can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using it in your biscuit dough.

Can I make smaller biscuits on top?

Definitely! Smaller biscuits will bake more quickly, so reduce baking time by a few minutes and keep an eye on that golden color to avoid overbaking.

What type of cheddar is best?

Mild cheddar is perfect for this recipe because it melts beautifully and provides sharp but not overpowering flavor, letting the chili shine through without competition.

Final Thoughts

This Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe is one of those dishes that turns any mealtime into a celebration of cozy, satisfying flavors. Its inviting layers of chili, cheese, and fluffy biscuits truly make it feel like a warm hug from the inside out. I can’t wait for you to try it and see just how simple ingredients can come together to create something so memorable and delicious. Trust me—this one’s a keeper!

Chili Cheese Biscuit Bake Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need