Description
This Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring layers of tender russet potatoes, savory browned ground beef, fresh onions, juicy tomatoes, and crisp green bell peppers, all baked together to perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this casserole combines simple ingredients with classic Southern flavors in an easy-to-make baked dish.
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
- Russet potatoes, thinly sliced (approximately 3-4 medium potatoes)
Seasonings and Others
- 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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Potato Layer: Thinly slice russet potatoes and arrange a layer evenly at the bottom of the baking dish. Drizzle the potato layer with olive oil to add flavor and aid browning.
- Add Ground Beef: Spread the browned and crumbled lean ground beef evenly over the potato layer, ensuring an even distribution for balanced flavor in every bite.
- Layer Onions: Place the sliced onions on top of the beef, separating the rings to create an even layer that will cook thoroughly.
- Add Tomatoes: Layer sliced fresh tomatoes or evenly spread canned diced tomatoes over the onions for a juicy, tangy element.
- Top with Bell Peppers and Season: Sprinkle chopped green bell peppers on top and season each layer with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste for depth of flavor.
- Bake: Cover the entire dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
- Finish and Serve: After baking, remove the foil and check that the casserole is bubbly and fragrant. Serve warm for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a layer of shredded cheese on top before baking or during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- To speed up cooking, partially boil or microwave the potato slices for a few minutes before layering.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
- Feel free to adjust seasoning to your preference, adding garlic powder or smoked paprika for more complexity.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
