Seven Layer Dinner

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 can whole kernel corn, 15 oz, drained
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced into rings
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings
• 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 80 percent lean
• 2 cans tomato sauce, 8 oz each
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon

Before you cook

• Slice the onion and bell pepper into thin rings.
• Drain the canned corn.
• Grease a deep 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Stir the tomato sauce and water together in a pitcher with the oregano and garlic powder.

Steps

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread the uncooked rice across the bottom of the greased dish in an even layer.
3. Season the rice with a third of the salt and pepper.
4. Spread the drained corn over the rice.
5. Lay the onion rings over the corn.
6. Lay the bell pepper rings over the onion.
7. Pour half the tomato sauce mixture over the vegetables so it soaks down into the rice.
8. Crumble the raw ground beef over the top in an even sheet and press it down lightly.
9. Season the beef with the remaining salt and pepper.
10. Pour the rest of the tomato sauce mixture over the beef.
11. Lay the bacon slices across the surface in stripes.
12. Cover the dish tightly with foil, sealing the edges so no steam escapes.
13. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
14. Remove the foil and bake for 30 minutes more, until the bacon has crisped and the rice at the bottom is tender.
15. Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before cutting down through the layers to serve.