Baked Beans & Ground Beef Casserole

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1/2 pound bacon, chopped

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)

• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 (15-16 oz) cans baked beans or pork and beans, undrained

• 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 oz) can butter beans or lima beans, drained and rinsed

For the Sauce:

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a large 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish.

2. Cook bacon: In a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pan.

3. Cook beef and vegetables: Add ground beef and chopped onion (and bell pepper if using) to the same pan. Cook over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink and vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

4. Add seasonings: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked beef mixture, cooked bacon, all three types of beans (with liquid from baked beans), brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.

6. Transfer and bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake uncovered for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.

7. Rest and serve: Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Serves: 8-10 people
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes