Dolly Parton’s 5-Layer Dinner Plate is the most satisfying meal you’ve ever tasted
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International superstar Dolly Parton may be known as a flamboyant musician, actress, and fashion designer, but at this point, I think “food influencer” could be added to that list. Last month, I tried her famous coleslaw (it was delicious!) and this month, the chefs have been chatting about what’s rumored to be her super simple 5-layer dinner. Inexpensive and quick to prepare, it’s easy to see why so many people are obsessed with this recipe.
As someone who rarely eats beef and lists green peppers as one of their least favorite foods, I knew this recipe would have an uphill battle to impress me. However, I needed to figure out what all the fuss was about. So, I got to work chopping and chopping so that this casserole will be ready by lunchtime.
How to make Dolly Parton’s 5-Layer Dinner
To make this casserole, gather your ingredients first. You will need a pound of lean ground beef, 3 large potatoes, 2 large onions, a 15-ounce can of chopped tomatoes (or 2 fresh tomatoes), and 1 1/2 green bell peppers.
To begin, preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes and onions, chop the green peppers and tomatoes (if using fresh ones). Cook the beef in a hot skillet until no longer pink.
When all of your ingredients are prepared, you can start making the casserole. Start by distributing the potato slices in an even layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. (You’ll continue to season with salt and pepper for each additional topping added!) Next, add the cooked beef, followed by the sliced onion, chopped tomato, and chopped bell pepper, all in even layers. Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours.
My honest review of the Dolly Parton 5-Layer Dinner
Before making this recipe, I had a strong feeling I wasn’t going to enjoy it. I wasn’t crazy about the ingredients, and the blend wasn’t particularly inspiring. Not to mention, salt and pepper are the only spices! But after removing the aluminum foil from the cooked dish, the aroma of sweet onions filled my kitchen, and I began to rethink my assumptions.
Turns out, I loved it! The combination of tender beef, creamy potatoes, sweet onion, earthy peppers and citrusy tomatoes achieved a nice balance of flavors that kept me coming back for bite after bite. I added some of my favorite hot sauce to my serving and had it polished off in a matter of minutes. Could I use a few tablespoons of herbs and spices? certainly. But for the time it took to prepare and assemble, it made a delicious, warm, and utterly satisfying meal that could easily feed six hungry people. Dolly, I’m sorry I doubted you!
