Mouthwatering Dolly Partons 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe

Dolly Parton’s Magical 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe

Southern comfort meets simplicity in this dolly partons 5-ingredient casserole that promises to delight every taste bud.

The recipe captures the essence of home-cooked goodness with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Rich, creamy layers meld together in a harmonious blend of ingredients that speak straight to the heart.

Each bite tells a story of warmth and tradition passed down through generations.

This no-fuss dish transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Gather around the table and savor every comforting spoonful of this legendary casserole that proves sometimes the simplest recipes are the most memorable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 340 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole

For Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and rich flavor, choose lean cuts for healthier option and better texture.
  • Corn: Adds sweet crunch and natural sweetness, opt for fresh or frozen kernel corn for best taste.
For Binding and Moisture:
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates creamy base and adds depth, select low-sodium version for controlled saltiness.
For Topping and Texture:
  • Biscuit Mix: Delivers fluffy golden crust, use buttermilk or classic mix for more tender result.
  • Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds tangy richness, select sharp cheddar for bolder flavor profile.
For Liquid Adjustment:
  • Water: Helps create perfect biscuit batter consistency, use room temperature for smoother mixing.

Tools For Dolly Parton’s Casserole

  • Skillet: Large pan for browning ground beef evenly and draining excess fat.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining beef, corn, and cream of mushroom soup.
  • 9×9-inch baking dish: Perfect for assembling and baking the casserole.
  • Small bowl: Used for mixing biscuit batter with water.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir ingredients and spread mixture in baking dish.
  • Cheese grater (optional): If using block cheese that needs grating.

Steps To Make Dolly Parton’s Casserole

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab your baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

  • Brown the Meat

Toss ground beef into a sizzling skillet. Cook until it’s nicely browned and no pink remains. Drain away any extra grease.

  • Create the Hearty Filling

Combine your cooked beef with corn and cream of mushroom soup in a big mixing bowl. Stir everything until it’s well blended and looks deliciously inviting.

  • Layer the Casserole

Pour the beef mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly like a cozy blanket. Sprinkle cheese across the top for that extra yummy factor.

  • Add the Fluffy Topping

Mix biscuit mix with just enough water to create a thick, bumpy batter. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture all over the cheesy surface, creating a rustic landscape.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the hot oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown and looks irresistibly puffy. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving up this comfort food classic.

Casserole Tips And Tweaks

  • Flavor Boosting Tip: Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a sprinkle of garlic powder to the ground beef while cooking for an extra flavor punch that'll make taste buds dance.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just pop it in the oven when you're ready to eat, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular biscuit mix with a gluten-free baking mix, and use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to make this dish celiac-safe without losing any deliciousness.
  • Veggie Transformation: For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or a mix of black beans and diced bell peppers to keep the hearty texture and flavor profile.
  • Spice It Up: Kick the heat level up a notch by adding diced jalapeños to the beef mixture or sprinkling red pepper flakes on top before baking for those who love a little extra zing.

Serving Dolly Parton’s Casserole

  • Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad for a balanced meal that everyone will love.
  • Comfort Side Companions: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli or carrots to add extra nutrition and color to the plate.
  • Casual Game Night Special: Perfect for potlucks, sports watching parties, or casual gatherings where crowd-pleasing comfort food is the star of the evening.
  • Quick Lunch Solution: Reheat leftovers the next day for a quick and satisfying midday meal that tastes just as delicious as the night before.

Store And Plan Dolly Parton’s Casserole

  • Batch Cooking Brilliance: Whip up multiple casseroles simultaneously and freeze extras for quick future meals. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and label with date for easy tracking.
  • Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated casserole stays delicious for 3-4 days when sealed properly.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat entire dish in oven at 350F, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Add small splash of water to maintain moisture.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Can be frozen uncooked or after baking. Unbaked casserole keeps well for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking, adding 10-15 minutes to original baking time to ensure thorough heating.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Mouthwatering Dolly Partons 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe

Mouthwatering Dolly Partons 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Dolly Parton’s classic 5-ingredient casserole delivers comfort straight from Tennessee kitchens. Southern hospitality shines through simple ingredients blended with heartwarming memories you’ll savor with each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • 1.5 cups (360 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (15 oz or 425 g) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 can (10.5 oz or 298 g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup (120 g) biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Calibrate the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly lubricate a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Meat Foundation: In a skillet, sauté ground beef over medium heat until thoroughly browned, meticulously draining excess fat to maintain a lean protein base.
  3. Mixture Assembly: Amalgamate the cooked beef, corn kernels, and mushroom soup in a capacious mixing bowl, stirring until ingredients are uniformly integrated.
  4. Layering Technique: Distribute the meat mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish, then lavishly crown with a generous layer of shredded cheese.
  5. Biscuit Topping Creation: Whisk biscuit mix with cool water to form a dense, pliable batter, then artfully spread across the cheesy landscape.
  6. Baking Finale: Introduce the casserole to the preheated oven, baking uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the biscuit layer achieves a burnished, appetizing golden-brown crust.
  7. Serving Preparation: Extract from the oven and allow a brief resting period, enabling ingredients to stabilize and facilitating warm, inviting portioning.

Notes

  • Prevent Meat Dryness: Brown ground beef quickly on high heat to seal in moisture and develop rich flavor without overcooking.
  • Cheese Distribution Trick: Shred cheese freshly and sprinkle evenly to ensure consistent melting and prevent clumping across the casserole surface.
  • Biscuit Topping Perfection: Mix biscuit batter minimally to keep the topping tender and avoid developing tough, dense texture during baking.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and add 10-15 minutes to baking time when cooking directly from cold state.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 340
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star