The Best Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole Recipe You’ll Love

Southern kitchens have always celebrated hearty five layer beef casserole with incredible passion and culinary creativity.

Generations of home cooks perfected this comforting dish through generations of shared meals.

Layers of savory ground beef blend seamlessly with creamy textures and robust seasonings.

Midwestern and southern traditions merge in this delectable casserole that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Packed with rich ingredients, each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Cheese, vegetables, and seasoned meat create a harmonious combination that feels like a loving embrace.

Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole Serves Flavor In Every Bite

• Speedy Weeknight Warrior: Whip up this hearty casserole in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving a delicious home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Kids and adults will love the comforting combination of tender beef, melted cheese, and savory rice that makes every bite satisfying and crowd-pleasing.
• One-Dish Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this all-in-one casserole that combines protein, vegetables, and grains in a single baking dish, saving time and reducing kitchen mess.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Utilize affordable ingredients like ground beef, rice, and canned tomatoes to create a filling meal that stretches your grocery budget without compromising on taste.

Southern Beef Casserole In Five Layers

• Ground Beef: Rich protein foundation for hearty casserole, choose lean meat for less grease.
• Onion, Bell Pepper: Aromatic vegetables adding depth and texture to the meat layer, fresh and crisp produce works best.

• Canned Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy flavor, no-salt-added varieties work well.
• Cooked Rice: Substantial base layer that absorbs flavors, day-old rice maintains better texture.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings enhancing overall taste, adjust according to personal preference.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevent sticking, extra virgin offers richer flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp topping that creates golden-brown crust, sharp varieties provide more intense flavor.

Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole Prep

Step 1: Warm Up the Kitchen

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting ready for a delicious Southern comfort meal.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Splash some olive oil in a skillet and sizzle the ground beef until it’s beautifully browned.

Drain away any extra fat to keep things light.

Step 3: Create Veggie Magic

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers

Sauté these veggies until they’re soft and fragrant, releasing their delightful flavors.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Let the mixture simmer and meld together, creating a rich and zesty base.

Step 5: Construct the Casserole

• Spread a bed of cooked rice
• Add the beefy vegetable mixture
• Sprinkle a generous handful of cheese

Step 6: Repeat and Top

Create another round of layers, finishing with a final cheesy crown on top.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to turn bubbly and golden, signaling it’s ready to devour.

What Layers Make Southern Beef Casserole Truly Stand Out

• Choose lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) to reduce excess grease while maintaining rich flavor and moisture.
• Create even, compact layers by gently pressing each ingredient to ensure consistent texture and prevent air pockets.
• Enhance the base seasoning with smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for a more complex, southern-style taste profile.
• Let cheese reach room temperature before adding to improve melting consistency and prevent rubbery texture.
• Assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinner preparation easier.

Southern Beef Casserole: Save What’s Left

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pack casserole in freezer-safe containers, ensuring it stays good for up to 2 months without losing flavor quality.
• Warm covered casserole at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots.

Five Layer Beef Casserole Side Matches

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel that complements the rich beef and cuts through the cheesy layers, enhancing the casserole's hearty flavors.
• Create Crisp Side Salad: Prepare a tangy green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the casserole's richness and add fresh, light contrast.
• Match with Cool Beverage: Serve an ice-cold craft beer like an amber ale or a refreshing Southern sweet tea to cleanse the palate and provide a delightful counterpoint to the warm, savory dish.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Top the casserole with chopped cilantro or parsley right before serving to introduce a bright, fresh element that lifts the entire meal's complexity.

Southern Five-Layer Beef Casserole Ideas

• Vegetarian Deconstructed Bowl: Replace ground beef with black beans or lentils for a plant-based protein alternative. Layer quinoa instead of rice for added nutrition.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Base: Swap rice with thinly sliced zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content. Use lean ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
• Spicy Tex-Mex Version: Add jalapeños and swap bell peppers with green chiles. Incorporate taco seasoning into the beef mixture and top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Style Casserole: Use ground lamb instead of beef. Replace traditional cheese with crumbled feta. Add oregano and diced cucumber for a Mediterranean flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this casserole and provides a similar flavor profile.

• Do I need to pre-cook the rice?

Yes, use already cooked rice before layering in the casserole to ensure proper texture and even cooking throughout the dish.

• What type of cheese works best?

Cheddar cheese is traditional, but you can also use a blend of monterey jack and cheddar for extra flavor and melting quality.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free rice and check that your tomatoes and seasonings do not contain hidden gluten sources.

Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole delivers comfort and flavor in one spectacular dish. Layers of ground beef, potatoes, cheese, and vegetables create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cheddar cheese

Vegetables:

• 1 onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 14.5 ounces (1 can) diced tomatoes

Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, preparing it for the layered casserole creation.
2. Transform raw ground beef into a rich, caramelized protein by sizzling in a hot skillet, carefully eliminating any lingering fat.
3. Introduce aromatic onions and vibrant bell peppers to the meat, gently coaxing out their natural sweetness and softening their texture.
4. Infuse the meat mixture with bright, acidic diced tomatoes, seasoning with a delicate balance of salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
5. Construct the casserole’s foundation by spreading a fluffy bed of rice across the bottom of a baking vessel.
6. Artfully cascade the seasoned beef mixture over the rice, creating a robust and hearty layer of flavor.
7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melting potential.
8. Repeat the layering process, building depth and complexity within the casserole’s architecture.
9. Crown the dish with a final lavish layer of cheese, promising a golden, crispy top.
10. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing the cheese to transform into a bubbling, molten masterpiece with crisp, bronzed edges.
11. Remove when the cheese reaches a perfect state of melted glory, signaling the casserole is ready to be devoured.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that’s perfect for health-conscious eaters.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, wholesome flavor to the casserole.
• Enhance the vegetable content by adding diced zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrients and color variation.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or sharp cheddar to customize the flavor profile and keep the dish exciting for repeat meals.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg