Quick & Hearty: Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe

Southern comfort finds its soul in dolly partons 5-ingredient casserole, a dish that whispers nostalgic memories of home-cooked meals.

Hearty ingredients mingle like old friends at a backyard gathering.

Layers of simplicity create magic on your plate.

Pure ingredients speak volumes about delicious elegance.

Every bite tells a story of warmth and connection.

Mountains of tennessee inspire this uncomplicated culinary treasure.

Dive into a recipe that promises pure, satisfying comfort.

Best Storage for Dolly Parton’s Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Continue until heated through, typically 1-2 minutes total.

Preheat oven to 350F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese top.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this casserole and provides a similar texture and flavor.

• What type of macaroni works best?

Standard elbow macaroni is ideal, but you can also use other short pasta shapes like shell pasta or rotini for variety.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The simple ingredients and cheesy topping make this casserole a hit with children and adults alike. Most kids love the comforting combination of pasta, beef, and cheese.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add frozen mixed vegetables like peas or corn to the mixture for extra nutrients and color. This simple addition boosts the meal’s nutritional value without changing the overall taste.

What Makes Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole Great

• Comfort Food Champion: A hearty casserole that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia, delivering pure culinary comfort with minimal effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: Packed with familiar ingredients that appeal to both kids and adults, making mealtime a stress-free family gathering.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Minimal prep and cooking steps transform basic pantry staples into a delicious one-dish wonder that saves time and cleanup.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Utilizes affordable ingredients that stretch your grocery budget without compromising on taste or satisfaction.

Ingredients for Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides richness and substance to the casserole.

• Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that adds comforting texture and helps bind the casserole together.

• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that creates a golden, gooey topping and adds a creamy flavor.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: A creamy base that adds moisture and a savory depth to the casserole.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings a tangy brightness and additional moisture to the dish.

• Baking Dish: Used to assemble and bake the casserole.
• Cooking Spray or Butter: Helps prevent the casserole from sticking to the baking dish.

How to Make Dolly Parton’s Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn the oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sizzle the Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Crumble the ground beef into the pan and cook until it turns rich brown.

Carefully drain away any extra grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Fusion

• Cooked ground beef
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Diced tomatoes with their juicy liquid
• Cooked macaroni

Stir everything together until the ingredients are well-acquainted and evenly distributed.

Step 4: Build the Casserole

Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the top, making sure it covers every delicious inch.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling blanket of deliciousness.

Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Quick Dolly Parton’s Casserole

• Select ground beef with lower fat content to reduce excess grease and create a healthier casserole.
• After cooking ground beef, drain fat completely to prevent a greasy texture and maintain the dish's clean flavor profile.
• Try different cheese types like monterey jack, pepper jack, or a blend for unique flavor variations and added excitement.
• If using canned tomatoes, drain some juice to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery and maintain a perfect consistency.
• Incorporate frozen mixed vegetables or diced bell peppers for extra nutrition and color without complicating the simple recipe.

Variations on Dolly Parton’s Casserole

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo, add diced green chilies, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Comfort Combo: Substitute ground beef with black beans or lentils, use vegetable soup instead of cream of mushroom, keep macaroni, and top with plant-based cheese for a meat-free option.
• Mediterranean Merge: Use ground lamb instead of beef, mix in crumbled feta cheese, add diced kalamata olives, replace cream of mushroom with tomato sauce, and garnish with fresh oregano.

Pairings with Dolly Parton’s Casserole

Pair with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light, tangy salad with mixed greens, cucumber slices, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheesy casserole.

Complement with Bold Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon to cut through the creamy texture and enhance the beef’s flavor.

Serve with Garlic Bread Crunch: Prepare warm, buttery garlic bread with herbs to add a crispy texture that contrasts the soft casserole and provides a delightful side.

Cool Down with Pickle Platter: Arrange a variety of pickles – dill, bread-and-butter, and garlic – to offer a tangy, refreshing counterpoint to the hearty main dish.

Dolly Partons 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Dolly Parton’s 5-ingredient casserole brings southern comfort straight to dinner tables with hearty simplicity. Family-friendly flavors merge in this quick, satisfying dish perfect for weeknight meals when comfort calls and time is short.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Canned Ingredients:

• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes (undrained)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, ensuring no pink remains. Drain any accumulated fat to prevent greasiness.
3. Transfer cooked beef to a spacious mixing bowl, combining it with cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes including their liquid, and fully cooked macaroni. Thoroughly blend all components until evenly distributed.
4. Transfer the integrated mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
5. Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, creating a complete coverage that will melt into a golden, appetizing layer.
6. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbling cheese top and heated-through center.
7. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the casserole set and makes serving easier. Portion and serve while warm for maximum flavor and comfort.

Notes

• Customize the cheese by using a blend of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for extra flavor depth.
• Drain tomatoes slightly to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery and maintain a perfect consistency.
• Transform this into a gluten-free option by substituting regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta alternatives.
• Add a crispy topping by sprinkling crushed buttery crackers or breadcrumbs over the cheese for a delightful textural contrast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 404 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg