Baked beans with ground beef casserole in 1 hearty pan

This recipe brings comfort to your table with a hearty blend of savory beef and sweet beans. I remember the first time I made this for a family gathering and the dish disappeared within minutes. It is a reliable crowd-pleaser that combines the smoky flavors of a barbecue with the filling nature of a home-cooked casserole. We use lean ground beef to ensure every bite is packed with protein while keeping the texture perfectly balanced. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights or potluck dinners where you need something substantial and delicious.

Why You Will Love This baked beans with ground beef casserole

You are going to absolutely love how simple this is. I am telling you that it is the ultimate lazy day meal that still tastes like a million bucks. It uses basic things you probably already have in your cupboard like canned beans and mustard. The balance of the sweet sugar and the savory beef is just incredible. It is a full meal in one big dish so you do not have to worry about making five different sides and doing a mountain of dishes later.

Ingredients for Your baked beans with ground beef casserole

Grab these things from your kitchen and let us get started. I always make sure to use beans that do not have any pork in them to keep it exactly how we like it. Using vegetarian beans is a great way to keep the flavor clean and focused on that beef and barbecue sauce.

• 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
• 2 cans (28 oz each) vegetarian baked beans
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make baked beans with ground beef casserole

Follow these steps and you will have a masterpiece in no time. I usually get the oven going first so it is nice and hot when I am ready to slide the pan in.

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until no pink remains.
• Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
• Add the diced onions and peppers to the beef and sauté until they are nice and soft.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef mixture with the beans, barbecue sauce, sugar, and spices.
• Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top is slightly caramelized.

Prep Time and Cooking Duration

This whole process is pretty quick and I love that. It takes me about 15 minutes to get everything prepped and the beef browned. Then the oven does the hard work for about 50 minutes. The total time is just over an hour from start to finish which is perfect for a weeknight.

Tips for the Best baked beans with ground beef casserole

One thing people always ask me about is the sauce. If it looks a little runny when you pull it out of the oven do not panic. You just need to let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before you serve it. This allows the sauce to set up and get that perfect thick consistency we all love. Also make sure you really drain that beef well so the casserole stays thick and hearty.

Variations of baked beans with ground beef casserole

Sometimes I like to mix things up a bit depending on what I have. You can add a splash of apple juice if you want a little more sweetness in the sauce. Another great trick is to throw a big handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking. It gets all melty and delicious and the kids always go crazy for the extra cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions about baked beans with ground beef casserole

If you have leftovers they stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I actually think it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have sat together in the fridge. You can also freeze this in an airtight container if you want to save it for a rainy day. Just heat it back up in the oven or microwave when you are ready for a quick lunch or dinner.

Nutritional Information

Here is the estimated breakdown for one serving if you divide the whole pan into 8 portions. It is a very filling meal that keeps you satisfied.

• Calories: 410 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 12g
• Fiber: 9g
• Sugar: 18g

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