A hearty and filling weeknight dinner, this 7 layer casserole uses ground beef, cheese, bacon, veggies, and rice. It’s perfect for busy days where a bubbling hot casserole hits the spot with little prep!

This is part of our collection of ground beef casseroles I’m sure you’ll love!

Why this recipe works

We’re all for super simple ground beef casserole recipes around here. Not only is this 7 layer casserole affordable but it’s quick and easy to make in a pinch. It’s a dump-and-bake type of dinner that’s easy on the pocketbook, with lots of flavorful components from the peppers and onions to the ground beef and bacon.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

PROTEIN – You will need ground beef and bacon. Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or sausage and the bacon with turkey bacon if desired. For the beef, brown it thoroughly before adding to the casserole dish. Season it as you’d like while browning. Garlic powder, salt, and pepper are our go-to’s. I would suggest using leaner ground beef so there isn’t so much grease- which is why we don’t add the meat raw into the casserole dish.

VEGGIES – This is a highly versatile casserole dish so you can basically use any type of veggie filling you’d like. We went with red and green bell pepper, onion, and corn. If you’d like a bit of spice, jalapenos would be a nice addition. You can use either canned or frozen corn for this recipe.

SAUCE – You can use pasta sauce (marinara), tomato sauce, or canned crushed tomatoes.

How to Make 7 Layer Casserole

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Preheat oven to 350F. Assemble the casserole in a 13×9 baking dish in order of ingredients starting with the cooked rice.
Add the corn.
Top the corn with ground beef.
Next, layer on the chopped veggies.
Pour the pasta sauce or canned tomatoes on top of the veggies.
Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
Lastly, top with bacon.
Bake in a 350F oven uncovered for 1 hour.
Slice and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store 7 layer casserole?

Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Absolutely. You can freeze this casserole in an air-tight container, pre-assembled for up to 2 months.

Serving Suggestions

On its own, this 7 layer casserole it’s hearty and satisfying and doesn’t typically need a side dish to accompany it. You can top it with sour cream and parsley if you’d like.

More Casserole Recipes

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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