This recipe outlines how to create a “Cheesy Biscuit Bake with Pepper Topping,” a comforting and savory dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side with dinner. The image shows a rectangular baking dish filled with golden-brown biscuits, each generously topped with melted, bubbly cheese. A visible sprinkling of black pepper adorns the cheesy surface, promising a hint of spice and an appealing visual contrast. The dish appears warm, gooey, and ready to be served, suggesting a rich and satisfying texture from the soft biscuits and melted cheese. This bake offers a delightful combination of soft, fluffy biscuits and savory cheese, with the pepper adding a subtle kick that elevates the classic comfort food to a new level. It’s an ideal recipe for a crowd, easy to prepare, and highly customizable to personal preferences.
Ingredients:
For the Biscuits:
- 1 (16.3 oz) can refrigerated biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers Biscuits or similar).
- Note: While the image mentions “7 up biscuits recipe”, this recipe uses standard refrigerated biscuits for simplicity, as no 7UP is visible in the provided image of the finished product. If aiming for a true “7 up biscuit,” additional ingredients and steps would be required to incorporate the soda for extra fluffiness.
- ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesy Topping:
- 2 cups (approx. 220g) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, depending on preference)
- 1 cup (approx. 110g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (for extra meltiness and stretch)
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk (whole milk or 2%)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste, considering cheese saltiness)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste, for topping
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish after baking.
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish (glass or ceramic recommended)
- Small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan (for melting butter)
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions:
Part 1: Prepare the Biscuits and Baking Dish
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a small amount of butter. The image shows a glass baking dish, which is suitable.
- Melt Butter: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the ¼ cup of unsalted butter. Set aside.
- Arrange Biscuits: Open the can of refrigerated biscuit dough. Separate the biscuits and arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. You should be able to fit all 8 or 10 biscuits from a standard can comfortably, with a little space between them.
- Brush with Butter: Drizzle or brush the melted butter evenly over the tops of all the biscuits. This helps them brown nicely and adds flavor.
Part 2: Prepare the Cheesy Topping
- Combine Cheeses: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. You can adjust the proportions or use different cheeses based on your preference; a mix of cheeses often provides the best flavor and melt.
- Add Seasonings and Milk: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to the shredded cheese. Pour in the milk.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until the cheese is evenly coated with the seasonings and milk. The milk helps create a creamy, spreadable cheese topping that melts beautifully.
Part 3: Assemble and Bake the Cheesy Biscuit Bake
- Top Biscuits with Cheese: Spoon the cheesy mixture evenly over the tops of the arranged biscuits in the baking dish. Spread it out gently to cover most of the biscuit surface.
- Add Pepper Topping: Generously sprinkle freshly ground black pepper over the entire cheesy topping. The image clearly shows a noticeable amount of pepper on each biscuit. You can adjust the amount to your taste; some prefer a bolder pepper flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese topping is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly browned in spots. The internal temperature of the biscuits should reach 200°F (93°C) if you check with a thermometer.
- Rest (Optional): Once baked, remove the dish from the oven. For easier serving and to allow the cheese to set slightly, you can let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Part 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Garnish (Optional): If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving for added freshness and color.
- Serve Warm: Serve the Cheesy Biscuit Bake warm directly from the baking dish. It pairs wonderfully with eggs, bacon, sausage, or can be enjoyed on its own as a savory snack.
- Storage: Store any leftover Cheesy Biscuit Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, cover loosely with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions until warm and cheese is melted again.
Tips for Success:
- Biscuit Type: While any refrigerated biscuit dough will work, using a flaky layers variety can add a nice texture to the finished bake.
- Cheese Choice: The combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack provides both flavor and an excellent melty texture. However, feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like Gruyere, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend.
- Evenly Distribute Topping: Spreading the cheese mixture evenly ensures that each biscuit gets a good amount of cheesy goodness.
- Don’t Skimp on Pepper: The “Pepper Topping” is a key element of this recipe, as indicated by the title. Freshly ground black pepper will give the best flavor.
- Add-ins (Optional):
- Meat: For a heartier breakfast, consider adding cooked, crumbled sausage, bacon bits, or diced ham to the cheese mixture before topping the biscuits.
- Vegetables: Finely chopped cooked bell peppers, onions, or even a handful of spinach can be mixed into the cheese for added flavor and nutrients.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the cheese mixture or an extra sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top can add more heat.
- Garlic Butter: Instead of plain melted butter, infuse the melted butter with a clove of minced garlic before brushing it on the biscuits for an extra savory punch.
- Prevent Sticking: Ensure your baking dish is adequately greased, especially if it’s not a non-stick variety, to prevent the biscuits from sticking to the bottom or sides.
- Baking Time Varies: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on the biscuits during the last 10 minutes of baking to ensure they don’t overcook or burn. They should be puffed up and golden.
- Savory Dish: This Cheesy Biscuit Bake with Pepper Topping is clearly a savory dish. It is not a sweet dessert, like the Super Moist Chocolate Truffle Cake, Irresistible Chocolate Mousse Cake with a Smile, Decadent Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake, Double Chocolate Cream Dream Cake, Fluffy Japanese-Style Blender Sponge Cake, Delightful Strawberry Crunch Cookies, No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Lasagna, Southern-Style Blackberry Cobbler, Easy No-Bake Peanut Clusters, Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake, Homemade Fruit Cake, Classic Apple Bundt Cake, Creamy Lemon Pudding, Leche Flan, Fluffy Asian-Style Sponge Cakes (Mamon), Super Soft Vanilla Breakfast Cake, Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, World’s Best Butter Cookies, Classic Homemade Strawberry Cake, Healthy Carrot Cake, Homemade Creamy Ice Cream, Mini Cherry Cheese Danish, Pineapple Pecan Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Caramel Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Orange Blender Cake, Blueberry Bundt Cake, an unnamed chocolate pie in image_ba1c7c.jpg, Maple Cream Pie, Vanilla Custard Puff Pastry Squares, Sweet Milk Fudge Squares, Strawberry Banana Pudding, Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes, Fried Apple or Peach Pies, or Peach Cobbler. It belongs to the same general category of savory meals as Irresistible Marinated Feta Cheese, Savory Sheet Pan Egg Muffins, Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions, Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken, Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza, Dorito Taco Salad, Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup, Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon Butter Sauce, Crispy Ground Beef Rolls, Southern-Style Cheddar Cheese Quick Bread, Fish Cutlets, Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak, Shepherd’s Pie, Braised Oxtail, Garlic Parmesan Fried Lamb Chops, Mac and Cheese, Pepperoni Pizza Bombs, Garlic Butter Lobster and Scallops, Fresh Napa Cabbage Salad, Lemon Curd, or a simple loaf of bread.