Description
Hearty Southern five layer beef casserole blends comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Rich ground beef, creamy cheese, and savory vegetables create a satisfying meal that brings family and friends together at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Layer:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice Layer:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Vegetable and Tomato Layer:
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried italian seasoning
Cheese Topping:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing a 9×13 baking dish with a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped green bell pepper over medium-high heat until meat browns completely and vegetables soften.
- Drain excess fat from the beef mixture and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Simultaneously cook rice according to package directions, aiming for fluffy and separate grains.
- Create the first casserole layer by spreading cooked rice evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- Distribute the seasoned beef mixture uniformly over the rice layer, creating a consistent meat foundation.
- Pour diced tomatoes and tomato sauce across the beef, covering the entire surface to maintain moisture and add tangy flavor.
- Sprinkle corn kernels over the tomato layer, providing a sweet and textural contrast to the savory components.
- Generously cover the entire casserole with shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melting potential.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the casserole becomes bubbly and the cheese transforms into a golden, melted topping.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps set the layers and intensify flavors before serving.
Notes
- Enhance the flavor by using homemade beef stock instead of water when cooking rice for deeper, richer taste.
- Consider swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s hearty texture.
- Customize heat levels by adding diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for those who enjoy spicier meals.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and reduce overall kitchen time, making this a perfect weeknight meal solution.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 518 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg