Description
A hearty and comforting Baked Beans & Ground Beef Casserole that combines savory ground beef, sweet and tangy baked beans, and a flavorful mix of vegetables and seasonings, baked to perfection. This dish is perfect for a family dinner or potluck, offering a delicious blend of textures and flavors in one warming casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Other
- 2 (15 oz) cans vegetarian baked beans (or regular baked beans without meat)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef: In a deep skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks for even browning.
- Cook vegetables: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, typically for about 5 minutes. Drain off any excess grease from the mixture to reduce fat content.
- Optional heat tip: For extra heat, substitute half of the bell pepper with jalapeño or poblano peppers as per your preference.
- Add ketchup: Stir in the ketchup thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables evenly.
- Incorporate seasonings: Mix in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar until fully combined, creating a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
- Season to taste: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed to enhance flavor.
- Add baked beans: Stir in the baked beans along with their juice to the skillet, mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through completely.
- Cool and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, let it cool slightly for a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy this comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, substitute half of the bell pepper with jalapeño or poblano peppers.
- Draining excess grease after cooking beef and vegetables helps reduce fat and improve texture.
- You can use vegetarian baked beans or regular baked beans without meat to keep the recipe flexible.
- This casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated; just bake it when ready to serve.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
