Description
Comfort meets culinary creativity in this Southern five layer beef casserole, where hearty ingredients stack up to deliver pure homestyle magic. Layers of ground beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese promise a satisfying meal that will transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Base:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup corn (optional)
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 can (8 ounces / 226 grams) tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a steady 350°F, preparing the cooking environment for layered comfort.
- Sauté aromatic onions, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers in olive oil until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, browning thoroughly and carefully draining away excess fat to ensure a lean mixture.
- Enrich the meat with diced tomatoes, robust tomato sauce, and a harmonious blend of seasonings including salt, pepper, smoky paprika, and tangy Worcestershire sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop deep flavors for 5 minutes.
- Prepare a baking dish with a light greasing, then create a foundational layer of fluffy cooked rice across the bottom.
- Generously spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the rice base, creating a hearty second layer.
- Optional: Sprinkle a delicate layer of sweet corn kernels across the beef for added texture and flavor.
- Liberally cover the corn with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to heat thoroughly.
- Remove the foil for the final 5-10 minutes, letting the cheese transform into a golden, bubbling crown.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving this comforting Southern-style dish piping hot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier version that reduces saturated fat intake.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice to increase fiber content and provide more nutritional value with a slightly nutty flavor.
- Enhance vegetable diversity by adding zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to boost nutrient profile and create more complex taste layers.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting paprika and adding chili flakes or cayenne pepper for those who enjoy a spicier kick to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg