This is another meal that takes me straight back to my childhood! Since having kids, I find myself thinking about the foods I loved as a child and making them for my kids. Some they like, some they do not, but this one they love. I know my mom had to get creative to find meals that we would enjoy – I appreciate her heroic efforts more and more!

The great thing about this recipe is that you can build upon the basic ingredients and tailor it to you and your family’s preferences. I love it when recipes have wiggle room to adapt. You can use whatever you have on hand!

I use Bisquick because that is what I always have in the pantry – it is the only baking mix my mom used and I followed her footsteps!

Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 lb. ground beef
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 package dry onion soup mix
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups finely shredded cheese of your choice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
3 large eggs
3/4 cup baking mix (Bisquick or similar baking mix)
Sliced American Cheese – optional

Directions

Lightly grease a 9×9 baking dish (or two pie pans) and set oven temperature to 400°F.

* Use a 9×9 baking dish for thicker pieces or a 9×13 baking dish for thinner pieces. *

In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the onions until the meat no longer has any pink. Drain grease from the pan if there is any.

Add the onion soup mix and 3/4 cup of water, let simmer until liquid is gone.

In a mixing bowl add eggs and gently whisk. Add salt, pepper, milk, and Bisquick mix.

Beat until batter is evenly mixed.

Layer half of the meat mixture in bottom of baking dish, then half the shredded cheese, then the remaining meat mixture, ending with the remaining shredded cheese.

Next, evenly pour the Bisquick mixture over the top of the meat and cheese layers.

Place several slices of American cheese on the top (If desired).

Bake for 30 minutes – the top should be a nice golden color.

Notes

Pan: Use a 9×9 baking pan for thicker pieces or a 9×13 baking pan for thinner pieces.

Gluten Free: Bisquick makes a gluten free version which works beautifully if you need to eliminate gluten. There are other brands of gluten free baking mix that will probably work great as well.

Meat: Instead of ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken works well.

Add-In Ideas: Corn (or Mexican corn), diced mixed vegetables, green peppers, garlic, ¼ cup ketchup (and 2 Tbsp. yellow mustard if you like) after browning the meat, and mushrooms. I am sure there are more possibilities so if it sounds good to you, give it a try!

American Cheese: I like to lay slices of American cheese on the top not only because we love extra cheese, but because it gives the dish more of a cheeseburger taste!

Garnishes: Sliced dill pickles, sliced tomato, chopped lettuce, sautéed mushrooms, or anything you like on a cheeseburger.