Description
A hearty Southern five-layer beef casserole featuring thinly sliced russet potatoes, browned ground beef, onions, fresh or canned tomatoes, and green bell peppers, baked to perfection for a flavorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 large onions, sliced and separated into rings
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced or 1 (15 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 green bell peppers, chopped
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef, browned and crumbled
Seasoning & Others
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for even baking of the casserole.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Layer the Potatoes: Spread a layer of thinly sliced russet potatoes evenly at the bottom of the greased baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil to enhance flavor and moisture retention.
- Add the Beef Layer: Layer the browned and crumbled lean ground beef evenly over the potatoes to create the second layer.
- Add Onion Layer: Spread a layer of sliced onion rings on top of the beef, distributing them evenly.
- Add Tomato Layer: Place a layer of sliced fresh tomatoes or spread the canned diced tomatoes evenly over the onions.
- Add Bell Pepper Layer: Sprinkle chopped green bell peppers evenly as the topmost layer for added texture and flavor.
- Season Each Layer: Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over each ingredient layer according to taste to achieve balanced seasoning throughout the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, allowing all layers to cook thoroughly and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly to set before slicing and serving. Enjoy this delicious and hearty Southern layered beef casserole!
Notes
- Using lean ground beef reduces excess fat and makes the casserole lighter.
- Thinly slicing potatoes ensures even cooking throughout the long baking time.
- Covering the dish with foil helps retain moisture and meld flavors without drying the casserole.
- If preferred, you can substitute fresh tomatoes with canned diced tomatoes for convenience.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
