Description
Southern five layer beef casserole combines hearty ingredients from traditional southern kitchens. Meat, vegetables, and creamy layers create a comforting meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs you’ll gladly welcome home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Grains:
- 2 cups white or brown rice (cooked)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Dairy:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and lightly greasing a 9×13 baking dish to ensure easy serving and clean-up.
- Sauté chopped onions and green bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until they become translucent and tender, releasing their aromatic flavors, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook thoroughly until the meat browns evenly, then carefully drain any accumulated fat to maintain a lean texture.
- Create the foundation of the casserole by spreading cooked rice uniformly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming the first substantial layer.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture directly over the rice layer, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Cascade diced tomatoes and tomato sauce evenly across the beef, creating a rich, moisture-rich third layer that will infuse the dish with robust flavor.
- Crown the casserole with a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, which will melt into a golden, tantalizing topping.
- Shield the casserole with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until the contents become bubbling and heated through. Uncover during the final 10 minutes to allow the cheese to transform into a crisp, golden crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the layers to settle and making serving easier and more cohesive.
Notes
- Customize rice selection by using brown rice for added fiber or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease and ensure a crisp, not soggy, bottom layer.
- Elevate flavor by using fresh garlic instead of garlic powder and adding smoked paprika or dried herbs like oregano.
- Make the dish gluten-free by confirming all canned tomato products are certified gluten-free and using gluten-free seasonings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg