Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole – The Cozy Classic That Feels Like a Hug

Hey y’all! 💛

If you’re anything like me, you love a good comfort food recipe that doesn’t require a mile-long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen. Well, let me tell you — I stumbled on a gem that’s as easy as it is delicious: Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole. Yep, that Dolly. The queen of country music and hearty, down-home meals!

I saw this recipe floating around Facebook and couldn’t resist giving it a try. With just five simple ingredients (and a couple optional goodies if you’re feeling fancy), this casserole turned out to be everything I hoped for: cozy, flavorful, and totally satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you of dinners at grandma’s house — warm, simple, and made with love.

Let’s dive into it, shall we?

📝 What You’ll Need:

Here are the five basic ingredients you’ll need to whip this up:

• 1 lb ground beef – browned and ready to layer.
• 4–5 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (think scalloped-potato style).
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, juice and all — this adds moisture and flavor.
• 1 medium onion, chopped (nothing fancy — just a good ol’ white or yellow onion works).
• Salt and pepper, to taste (season as you go — trust me!).

Optional (but oh-so-tasty):

• A few thinly sliced carrots for a little sweetness and color.
• A handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top during the last few minutes for that golden, melty finish.

👩‍🍳 How to Make It:

This is a no-fuss, layer-it-up kind of dish — my favorite kind.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until it’s fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Grab a 9×13″ casserole dish and give it a light grease (cooking spray or a little butter works great).
4. Now, start layering:
   • A layer of sliced potatoes
   • A sprinkle of chopped onions
   • A scoop of browned ground beef
   • A spoonful or two of diced tomatoes (with the juices!)
   • Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper between layers!
   • Repeat until all your ingredients are used up — I usually get 2–3 nice layers.
5. Cover the dish with foil and pop it in the oven for about 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. If you like a little texture on top (who doesn’t?), remove the foil for the last 10–15 minutes of baking. This is also when I add some shredded cheddar for that perfect bubbly finish. 😍

💡 My Tips:

• This dish is super flexible. Don’t be afraid to toss in leftover veggies or even swap beef for ground turkey.
• Want to prep ahead? Assemble everything earlier in the day and bake it when you’re ready for dinner.
• Leftovers are even better the next day. Just warm it up and enjoy all over again.

So there you have it — a simple, satisfying casserole that Dolly herself would be proud of. Whether you’re feeding the family or just want an easy meal with classic flavor, this one’s a keeper.

If you found this recipe on Facebook and came here for the full instructions — welcome! Let me know in the comments how yours turned out, and don’t forget to share it with someone who loves a good old-fashioned, home-cooked meal. 💛

Happy cooking!

— EMILY RECIPE 🥘✨