DOLLY PARTON’S 5-INGREDIENT CASSEROLE

by

While Dolly Parton is famously connected to many comforting dishes (like her stone soup and Dixie Stampede recipes), there isn’t one single “5-Ingredient Casserole” officially published by her. However, based on her down-home cooking style and several interviews, this is a very popular and beloved 5-ingredient casserole often attributed to Dolly’s kind of simple, hearty family cooking.

It’s sometimes called “Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Ham & Swiss Casserole” or simply “Dolly’s Easy Casserole.”

Here is the most common version:

Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Ham & Swiss Casserole

Ingredients:

  1. 1 (8-count) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
  2. 1-1½ lbs cooked ham, diced (or leftover baked ham)
  3. 8 oz (about 2 cups) Swiss cheese, shredded
  4. 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for variation)
  5. ½ cup milk or cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Layer 1: Unroll the crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the dish, pinching seams together to form a crust.
  3. Layer 2: Sprinkle the diced ham evenly over the dough.
  4. Layer 3: Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese over the ham.
  5. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and milk until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the cheese.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the crescent crust is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.
  7. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.

Why This Fits Dolly’s Style:

· Pantry-friendly: Uses common, inexpensive ingredients.
· Feeds a crowd: Perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
· Comfort food: Cheesy, creamy, and satisfying — just like the classics Dolly often references.
· Flexible: You can easily substitute chicken for ham, use a different cream soup, or add a veggie like broccoli if you want to stretch to 6 ingredients.

Tip:

If you want to add a little Dolly flair, serve it with a side of buttery cornbread and a colorful green salad. She’s often emphasized making meals with love and what you have on hand.

Enjoy — and just like Dolly says, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” But in this case, the rainbow is a delicious, easy dinner! 🌈

Leave a Comment