Description
This Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring layers of browned ground beef, sliced potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers, baked to perfection with simple seasoning. It’s ideal for a family dinner, delivering a flavorful combination of textures and savory goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Layer
- 1 pound lean ground beef, browned and crumbled
Vegetables
- 2 large onions, sliced and rings separated
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced or 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 green bell peppers, chopped
- Thinly sliced russet potatoes (approx. 3-4 medium potatoes)
Seasonings and Oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, as needed
- Butter or nonstick spray, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Layer Potatoes: Begin by evenly layering thinly sliced russet potatoes at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the potatoes lightly with olive oil to enhance baking and add flavor.
- Add Beef Layer: Spread a layer of the browned and crumbled ground beef evenly over the potato slices, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Layer Onions: Place sliced onions on top of the beef layer, making sure to gently separate the rings to distribute them evenly across the surface.
- Incorporate Tomatoes: Add a layer of sliced fresh tomatoes or, alternatively, spread canned diced tomatoes evenly over the onions for moisture and acidity.
- Add Bell Peppers and Season: Scatter chopped green bell peppers over the tomato layer. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste on each layer, building up flavor throughout the casserole.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture, then bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours to allow all flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the foil. The casserole should be bubbly and fragrant. Let it cool slightly before serving to allow layers to set for easier slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add garlic powder or herbs like thyme or oregano to the layers.
- Be sure to slice potatoes thinly and uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and reheated before serving.
- If you prefer a cheesy topping, add shredded cheese on the top layer in the last 10 minutes of baking.
