Classic Hungry Jack Casserole

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/1/21
Hungry Jack casserole on a plate with biscuit

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Yield: 1 casserole

Ground beef is such a versatile item to have in the fridge or freezer, and there are myriad ways to work with it for a dinner that's sure to please everyone, and come together quickly, too. This mixture of beef and beans is well-seasoned and makes a delicious everyday family casserole dinner.

Typically, this dish gets its name from the pancake and biscuit mix of the same brand name, but we've skipped with the mixing of dough and gone straight for a roll of refrigerated biscuits. (Feel free to make your own, however, if you like). With a pre-made biscuit topping, this Hungry Jack casserole is a complete meal in one dish.

This recipe makes for a great weeknight meal, one that feels especially satisfying to eat in the winter. To add a layer of savory flavor, we cook about 1/2 cup of chopped onion with the ground beef and then add a little onion powder. Add coleslaw, green salad, or steamed broccoli for a tasty family dinner any night of the week. 

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef, at least 85 percent lean

  • 1 (16-ounce) can pork and beans

  • 3/4 cup Kraft barbecue sauce or your favorite thick barbecue sauce

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion

  • 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, 10 biscuits total

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 375 F.

  2. In a skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef; drain well. Stir in pork and beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and minced onion; heat until bubbly.

  3. Pour the beef and bean mixture into a 2- to 2 1/2-quart casserole.

  4. Cut each refrigerated biscuit in half to form 20 half circles. Place the half circles cut side down around edge of casserole and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.

  5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown.

Recipe Variations

  • Make homemade biscuit dough for the recipe. Cut in standard circles and then cut them in half and proceed with the recipe.
  • Replace the shredded cheddar cheese with a Mexican blend, a cheddar jack blend, or pepper jack cheese.
  • Use ground turkey, pork, or chicken instead, or a combination of various ground meats instead of just beef.

How to Store and Freeze Hungry Jack Casserole

  • This casserole will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days as long as it's covered. Reheat in the oven, tented with foil, at 350 F until hot all the way through and the biscuits are warm.
  • You can also freeze this casserole for up to 6 months and cook it from frozen at 350 F for 40 to 50 minutes until completely hot.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
781 Calories
35g Fat
85g Carbs
33g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 781
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g 44%
Saturated Fat 12g 61%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 1566mg 68%
Total Carbohydrate 85g 31%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 33g
Vitamin C 3mg 13%
Calcium 507mg 39%
Iron 6mg 36%
Potassium 764mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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