Shepherd’s Pie Topped with Buttermilk Gruyère Biscuits

This Buttermilk-Gruyere Biscuit-Topped Shepherd’s Pie is perfect for busy weeknights. Warm, comforting, and easy to prepare, it pairs a savory meat-and-vegetable filling with cheesy buttermilk biscuits on top.

Buttermilk-Gruyere Biscuit Topped Shepherd's Pie in a handled ombre'd dish.

This post first appeared on September 17, 2014 as Buttermilk-Gruyere Biscuit-Topped Shepherd’s Pie. A favorite from my kitchen, adapted for quick family dinners. Disclosure: this was sponsored content originally; opinions and text are my own.

Fall Schedules

The days grow cooler and shorter, and routines shift as the kids return to school. Carpooling, after-school activities, rehearsals and homework fill the afternoons. When schedules get hectic, I rely on simple, satisfying dinners that come together quickly without compromising flavor.

Comfort Food

Shepherd’s pie brings a sense of home and comfort like few other dishes. Even in college, the simple warmth of a bubbling shepherd’s pie was welcome at the end of a long day. Now that colder evenings are here, a bowl of this hearty casserole — whether topped with mashed potatoes or biscuits — is exactly what my family and I reach for.

Biscuit-Topped Shepherd’s Pie

One busy afternoon, I wanted a quick dinner that still felt special. I started with a robust filling made from ground beef and turkey, sautéed onions, garlic and diced vegetables, simmered with tomatoes and broth until thick and flavorful. For the topping, I chose a cheesy biscuit made from Bisquick, shredded Gruyere, buttermilk and a touch of fresh thyme. The biscuits baked golden in about 15 minutes, producing a crisp, cheesy top with a tender interior and a fragrant thyme finish.

Buttermilk-Gruyere Biscuit Topped Shepherd's Pie in a small handled dish.

We served individual portions that night, and the family loved how the biscuits paired with the savory, saucy filling. It’s an easy recipe to make as a large casserole or as single servings in ramekins when you want a bit of presentation.

More Dinner Ideas

Try other weeknight-friendly dinners like taco rice, quick soups and stews, or simple stir-fries when you need more variety. These kinds of recipes keep dinner manageable while still feeling homemade and comforting.

Disclosure: this recipe originally appeared as sponsored content; the recipe and opinions remain the author’s own.

Buttermilk-Gruyere Biscuit-Topped Shepherd’s Pie

A comforting shepherd’s pie topped with cheesy buttermilk biscuits — simple, flavorful, and ready for busy weeknights.
Buttermilk-Gruyere Biscuit Topped Shepherd's Pie in a small handled dish.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Irish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 660kcal
Author Liren Baker

Ingredients

For the Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 1 cup canned diced tomato
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • bay leaf
  • thyme
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • Tabasco, to taste
  • kosher salt and pepper, to taste

For the Biscuits:

  • 2 cups Bisquick mix
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese
  • 2 teaspoons thyme leaves

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.

For the Filling:

  • Heat olive oil in a deep-sided sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef and turkey, breaking up the meat with a fork, and brown, stirring frequently.
  • Stir in balsamic vinegar, salt and Worcestershire sauce. Add carrot, celery and corn and cook about 5 minutes.
  • Add the diced tomato, beef broth, bay leaf, thyme and flour. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Season with salt, pepper and Tabasco to taste.
  • Cover and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld.

For the Biscuits:

  • In a large bowl, stir together Bisquick mix, melted butter, buttermilk, shredded cheese and thyme leaves until combined.
  • If serving individually, divide the dough into 4–6 pieces and gently form into disks.

Combining the Dish:

  • Divide the filling among individual ramekins or spread into one large oven-safe dish. Top with the biscuit dough and place on a baking tray.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until biscuits are golden and risen. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 660 kcal | Carbohydrates: 55 g | Protein: 37 g | Fat: 33 g