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Southern Five Layer Beef Casserole

A hearty, comforting casserole featuring five distinct layers of classic Southern flavors, including seasoned ground beef, creamy soup base, sharp cheddar, crispy fried onions, and a base of creamy mashed potatoes or crescent rolls (using crescent rolls for this version).
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Casserole, Dinner
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Layers
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 suggested
  • 1 envelope Dry Onion Soup Mix
  • 10.5 oz Cream of Mushroom Soup One regular can
  • 10.5 oz Cream of Celery Soup One regular can
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese Sharp or medium
  • 1 can (8 oz) Crescent Rolls For the base layer
  • 1.5 cups French Fried Onions For topping

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Layer 1 (Base): Unroll the crescent roll dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
  3. Layer 2 (Meat): Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease. Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the dry onion soup mix.
  4. Layer 3 (Creamy Filling): In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, milk, and garlic powder until smooth. Pour half of this mixture over the ground beef and stir to combine well.
  5. Assembly: Spread the seasoned meat mixture evenly over the crescent roll base. Pour the remaining half of the creamy soup mixture over the meat layer. Sprinkle evenly with the shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Layer 5 (Topping): Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling hot throughout and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the French fried onions generously over the top.
  7. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the fried onions are golden brown and crispy. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, substitute sour cream for the milk in the soup mixture. This casserole holds up well as leftovers and reheats easily.
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