5-Ingredient Casserole

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5-Ingredient Casserole

An incredibly comforting, simple, and budget-friendly layered meal. This classic dish combines seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, and savory vegetables, all baked together under a flavorful layer of diced tomatoes and green chilies.

  • Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 60 mins

  • Servings: 4–6

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Lean ground beef

  • 3 large Russet potatoes, washed and sliced into thin rounds

  • 1 can (10 oz) Diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Ro-Tel)

  • 1 large Onion, chopped

  • 1 Green bell pepper, chopped

  • Optional: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  2. Layer Vegetables & Meat: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in an even layer at the bottom of the dish. Scatter the chopped onions and green bell peppers over the potatoes.

  3. Add Beef: Evenly crumble the raw ground beef over the vegetable layer. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder if desired.

  4. Top: Arrange the remaining potato slices over the meat. Pour the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the juices) evenly over the top layer.

  5. Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and the beef is completely cooked through. Serve hot.

Notes & Tips

  • Slice Evenly: Keep the potato slices relatively thin and uniform so they cook through at the same rate as the beef.

  • Drain Excess Fat: If you use a higher-fat ground beef instead of lean, you can brown and drain the meat beforehand, though the traditional recipe layers it raw to let the juices flavor the potatoes.

Benefits & Nutrition

  • Benefit: A wholesome, allergen-friendly (dairy-free and gluten-free) comfort food that delivers excellent satiety from complex carbohydrates and clean protein.

  • Nutritional Info (Per serving): ~310 kcal | Fats: 9g | Carbs: 32g | Protein: 24g

Q&A

  • Q: Can I add cheese to this?

    • A: Absolutely! While the traditional 5-ingredient version doesn’t call for it, scattering a cup of shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking is a fantastic upgrade.

  • Q: Can I swap the ground beef?

    • A: Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken work beautifully as leaner alternatives.

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