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7 Layer Casserole
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7 Layer Casserole is a comforting casserole perfect for a busy family. It has layers of rice, corn, onion, bacon and more! It was one of my favorite casseroles growing up and your family is going to love it too!
Dump and Go Casserole!
There are so many great things to tell you about this 7 Layer Casserole it’s hard to know where to start! There’s no-pre-cooking involved in this casserole. You literally just layer and bake.
Sometimes we just need a dump and bake dinner like this casserole. It’s layers of ingredients cook all together in one baking dish. Everything from the rice, veggies, beef, sauce and bacon are layered together and, once it’s baked, you have a bubbling hot casserole that takes all of about 10 minutes to prep.
We love our beef and bacon around here – Skillet Beef Pot Pie and Bacon Cheeseburger Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole are family favorites, too. The combination of beef and bacon is hard to resist, but it’s also loaded with corn and peppers for a dose of good-for-you veggies. It’s a complete meal in one dish so you don’t need any sides to go with it.
7 Layer Casserole Ingredients
If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
- Uncooked long-grain white rice
- Canned whole kernel golden sweet corn
- Canned tomato sauce
- Water
- Chopped yellow onion
- Chopped green bell pepper
- Ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- Bacon
How do I make it?
- Prepare Baking Dish – Grease a 2-quart baking dish, place the rice in it and top the rice with the corn.
- Make Casserole – Combine one can of tomato sauce with water and pour it over the rice and corn. Sprinkle the onion and green pepper over the top of the sauce. Place the raw ground beef in an even layer over the top of the veggies. Mix the other can of tomato sauce with water and pour it over the beef. Lay the strips of bacon in an even layer on top of the sauce. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil.
- Bake – Bake the casserole at 350 degrees F. for one hour. Uncover and bake it for 30 minutes longer.
Tips and Tricks to Making 7 Layer Casseroles!
- The best tip I have for you is to not overthink it! I know it might be hard to believe, but you can layer all of the raw ingredients and they will bake up and taste delicious!
- Be sure to layer the ingredients as instructed so everything cooks evenly.
- The casserole has a long cook time, but that’s the trade-off for the easy prep! Be sure to keep the casserole tightly covered with foil for the first hour. This will lock in the moisture and cook the casserole faster. Taking the foil off in the last 30 minutes allows the bacon to crisp up and some of the excess moisture will cook off so you have a perfectly cooked casserole.
- It’s always a good idea to allow a baked casserole to stand for a few minutes before serving it. This will allow it to cool a bit because it will be really bubbling hot when it comes out of the oven!
How do I store leftovers?
The leftovers store really well. You can divide the leftovers into single servings and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The leftovers will keep well for three days. Or, you can freeze the leftovers for two to three months.
More delicious casserole recipes!
Casserole recipes are a great dinner for weeknights. Here are a few of my family’s favorite that I bet you will love!
- Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole – We added wild rice instead of white rice to a favorite classic!
- Meatball Sub Casserole – A fun and delicious twist on your favorite meatball sub! Layers of toasted bread, cream cheese filling, spaghetti sauce and meatballs with cheese!
- Lasagna Casserole – All your favorite flavors of lasagna made into an easy casserole recipe that’s perfect for busy nights, plus it’s freezer friendly!
- Baked Spaghetti Casserole – Classic casserole that is taken over the top by adding a layer of Alfredo sauce!
- Linguine Casserole – a creamy pasta casserole with ham that is so comforting!
- Cabbage Casserole – a cozy, hearty casserole with cabbage, cream and crispy bacon to finish it!
- Tuna Casserole – always a classic and a family favorite!
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS SEVEN LAYER CASSEROLE RECIPE BELOW:
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7 Layer Casserole
Classic midwest casserole with layers of ground beef, rice, corn, tomato sauce, bacon and more!
Ingredients
- 1 c. long grain white rice uncooked
- 1 can whole kernel golden sweet corn 15.25 oz
- 2 cans tomato sauce 8 oz each, divided
- 3/4 c. water
- ½ c. chopped yellow onion
- ½ c. chopped green bell pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 4-5 strips bacon
Instructions
- Put the rice in a 2-quart greased baking dish.
- Spoon the corn evenly over the rice layer.
- Combine one 1 can of tomato sauce with 1/2 c. of water and pour over the corn layer.
- Sprinkle with the chopped onion and bell pepper.
- Next put the raw ground beef and sprinkle lightly with the salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Mix other can of tomato sauce with ¼ c. of water and pour over ground beef.
- Top with the strips of bacon.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 F for 1 hour.
- Uncover and cook 30 minutes longer.
Notes
Tips & Tricks!
- Be sure to layer the ingredients as instructed so everything cooks evenly.
- Be sure to keep the casserole tightly covered with foil for the first hour. This will lock in the moisture and cook the casserole faster. Taking the foil off in the last 30 minutes allows the bacon to crisp up and some of the excess moisture will cook off.
- It's always a good idea to allow a baked casserole to stand for a few minutes before serving it to cool off and set.
- The leftovers will keep well in the fridge for three days. Or, you can freeze the leftovers for two to three months.
Nutrition
Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 19gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 636mgPotassium: 658mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 506IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Do you think this recipe would work in a slow cooker throughout the day or conversely and instant pot to go faster? I always end up thinking about it way to late and my family doesn’t want to wait. I still have small kids.
I haven’t even tried it in either, but now I want too. IF you do it let me know. I would think the slow cooker would work for sure. You might need some more liquid in an instant pot I’m not sure about that!
How do you prevent it from being so greasy? 😫
Use a leaner mixture of ground beef like 93/7.
Could I sub sausage for ground beef?
Hi Jody – I haven’t tired it with sausage but I think it should work just fine (and it sounds delicious)! I might have to give that a try too!
My Mom used to make this casserole when we were kids. Mom is now 82 so this brings back memories. The original recipe was printed in the 1950’s. My husband loves this casserole. It is also great for left overs to eat. You won’t be throwing any of this away. Thank you soo much for sharing this recipe Julie.
I’m so glad this brought back good memories! Thanks for sharing, Glenda!
Can you use minute rice for the long grain rice?
I haven’t tried that, but you could certainly give it a shot!
My mom always used minute rice in this seven layer casserole when we were kids. It was great!
Awesome! The best recipes bring back memories, don’t they?! Thanks for sharing!
This casserole is now a family favorite!! Adding it to our menu rotation. Thanks for a great recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
LOVE the easy prep! Ingredients I already know my family all love, and so easy to make – I don’t mind the cook time WhatSoEver because it is so easy to throw together.
It’s one of my favorites to throw together!
I made this for dinner last night and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!