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This recipe is essentially a beef-and-biscuit casserole, similar to a quick shepherd's pie or pot pie. It sounds appealing, but one historical note is worth mentioning: recipes circulating online as "Jackie Kennedy's Dinner Pie" are often difficult to verify. Without a contemporary source, it's hard to confirm whether this exact version was actually a Kennedy family favorite.


 

Quick Recipe Summary

Filling

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)

Topping

  • 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the beef and onion; drain excess fat.
  3. Stir in soup, milk, seasonings, and vegetables.
  4. Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish.
  5. Arrange biscuits on top.
  6. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
  7. Bake 20–25 minutes until biscuits are golden and filling is bubbling.
  8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Why This Recipe Works

  • The cream soup creates a quick, creamy gravy.
  • Biscuits bake directly on top, absorbing flavor while becoming crisp and golden.
  • Everything comes together in one dish with minimal prep.

Easy Upgrades

  • Add sautéed mushrooms and garlic.
  • Mix cheddar directly into the filling.
  • Use ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor.
  • Brush the biscuits with melted butter after baking.

What to Serve With It

  • Simple green salad
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Steamed green beans
  • Buttered corn

Storage

  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat covered in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
  • Freeze the filling separately; add fresh biscuits before baking for best results.

This is the kind of recipe that became popular in mid-20th-century American home cooking because it combines convenience ingredients, inexpensive protein, and a bread topping into a single comforting meal. Whether or not it was actually a Kennedy family staple, it's an easy weeknight casserole that many families would enjoy.