7 Layer Casserole

🧀 Seven-Layer Beef & Bacon Bake: The Cozy Casserole That’ll Win You Parent of the Year

 

If your dinner table’s been feeling a little “meh” lately, this glorious seven-layer beauty is about to steal the show—and possibly your neighbors’ hearts. We’re talking a one-dish wonder with cozy rice, seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, tangy tomato soup, gooey cheese, and (drumroll please)… sizzling bacon on top. This is comfort food stacked with love—and a Lou Lou Girls dose of sass.

Perfect for cold nights, picky eaters, potlucks, or “don’t make me cook another complicated thing” moments, this layered casserole brings everyone running to the table. Let’s dig in, layer by delicious layer!

I have seen versions of this recipe all over the internet and wondered how it would taste. Would the rice cook evenly? Would my family love it, or tell me never to make it again? So of course, it became a challenge! I needed to try it and if it was fabulous, I would share it with you! The jury is in……ITS FABULOUS!!!

The flavors blended so well! The rice was cooked perfectly, and honestly, I threw everything into one dish and the magic happened! It reminds me of a crockpot dish but sometimes I think baking it in the oven gives it a whole different depth of flavors!

Stack Your Way to Stardom

Here’s the thing about this recipe: it’s got that “mom magic.” You throw everything in one dish—no fancy stirring, no waiting for sautéed onions to caramelize into perfection—and it just works. Like, really works.

Layers of rice, beef, corn, tomato soup, cheese, and bacon come together like a cozy quilt for your soul. It’s cheesy, savory, a little sweet, and somehow even better reheated the next day. And if your kids usually question anything with “vegetables,” they won’t even flinch when you call this “Meat & Cheese Rice Lasagna.” (Yes, naming matters.)
Now grab your casserole dish and let’s layer up some love!

 

7 Layer Casserole

🍳 COOKING TIPS:

Lou Lou Girls-Level Layering Hacks
• Rice wisdom: No need to pre-cook! The rice will soak up the juices from the soup and beef during baking—trust the process.
• Soup trick: Mix the tomato soup with warm water for easier pouring.
• Even layering = even cooking: Make sure your beef layer covers edge to edge and soup is evenly poured to avoid dry rice spots.
• Cheese tip: Don’t skimp on the top cheese layer—this is your melty showstopper moment.
• Foil matters: Keep the casserole covered during the first hour to trap steam and help the rice cook perfectly.
• Want crispy bacon: Lay bacon strips flat and use convection mode if your oven has it during the last 15 minutes. Or pre-cook bacon halfway for extra crunch.

 

🔀 RECIPE VARIATIONS

Feeling spicy, gluten-free, or just wanting a switch-up? Try these:
• Southwest Style: Add 1/2 cup black beans, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp taco seasoning. Use pepper jack cheese and top with sliced jalapeños.
• Italian Twist: Swap tomato soup for marinara, add basil and oregano, and use mozzarella + Parmesan cheese.
• Veggie Boost: Add diced zucchini, shredded carrots, or chopped spinach between the onion and beef layers.
• Breakfast Remix: Swap rice for hashbrowns, beef for breakfast sausage, tomato soup for salsa—hello brunch casserole!
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free tomato soup or make a quick homemade tomato blend with pureed tomatoes + spices.
• Creamy Version: Mix 1/4 cup sour cream into the beef layer before adding it. Tangy, rich, and insanely good.

 

 

 

7 Layer Casserole

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup corn or peas (canned or frozen)
• 1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cans tomato soup, mixed with
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 to 3 cups shredded cheese
• 4-6slices bacon, cut in half (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease casserole dish.
3. Place all ingredients in casserole dish, one at a time, in the order they are listed in.
4. (Seven layers, starting with rice and ending with bacon.) Only put half of the cheese before the bacon. Bake, covered, for 1 hour.
5. Uncover, add the remaining cheese and bake 30 minutes longer.

🔥 CALORIE COUNT (PER SERVING)

Serving size: 1 generous scoop (1/8th of casserole)
• Without bacon: ~420–450 calories
• With bacon: ~480–500 calories
Dinner that satisfies the soul and fits neatly into your evening? We call that a win

 

📊 NUTRITIONAL FACTS (PER SERVING APPROX.)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~480 kcal
Protein	~22g
Carbs	~38g
Fat	~28g
Saturated Fat	~13g
Sugar	~6g
Fiber	~2g
Sodium	~800mg
Calcium	High
Iron	Moderate
Vitamin C	Moderate (thanks, peas/corn!)

Nutrition Tip: Want a lighter bite? Use 2% cheese, lean beef, and turkey bacon to shave off 80–100 calories per serving while keeping that glorious flavor intact

 

7 Layer Casserole

 

👧 KID TIPS: Make the Littles Love It

• Rename it: “Cheesy Bacon Rice Cake” or “Layered Super Dinner” works better than “casserole” for many kiddos.
• Let them help: Kids love layering things—assign cheese-sprinkling and bacon-arranging duties.
• Customize scoops: Serve with a side of mini taco shells or wrap inside a tortilla for “Rice Quesadilla Magic.”
• Sneaky veggies: Use finely diced veggies between layers—trust me, they won’t even notice.
• Topping bar: Offer sour cream, salsa, or avocado slices so kids can “decorate” their dinner.

 

🛒 GROCERY HACKS

• Buy bulk beef: Get a large pack and freeze in 1-pound portions for fast future dinners.
• Cheese saver: Shred block cheese yourself—it melts better AND saves cash.
• Tomato soup tip: Stock up during sales—canned soup lasts forever and works in loads of recipes.
• Bacon strategy: Use end pieces or pre-chopped bits for better bacon coverage and thriftier meals.
• Frozen veggies: Corn and peas straight from the freezer are cheaper, fresher-tasting, and easier than canned.
• Rice tip: Long-grain white rice is cheap, shelf-stable, and cooks like a dream in layered casseroles. Buy in bulk and store in airtight jars for pantry glam.

 

This casserole is proof that simple food can still be everything. The kind of dinner that checks all the boxes: easy, kid-friendly, comforting, cheesy, and packed with enough protein to power through homework hour.

You don’t have to fuss or stir or sauté—you just layer up the love and let the oven work its magic. And when everyone comes back for seconds? Just smile and say, “It’s all in the layers, baby.”

The bacon gets crisp, the cheese gets melty, the rice becomes tender with tomato tang, and the whole thing serves up nostalgic diner vibes with a big forkful of sass.

 

 

The Seven-Layer Beef & Bacon Bake is your ticket to dinnertime glory without the extra dishes, drama, or decision fatigue. It’s cheesy, hearty, packed with pantry basics, and blessed by the bacon gods. You can mix, match, make it your own—but once it hits the table, expect applause.

So preheat that oven, grease your dish, and stack your way to one of the easiest, happiest meals you’ll make this week. And hey, don’t forget to post a pic of that melty cheese pull—it’s casserole royalty and deserves the crown.

🥄 Forks up, bacon crisped, dinnertime nailed—Lou Lou Girls style

Did you try our 7 Layer Casserole? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

 

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