Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Hearty Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon are the ultimate comfort food. Easy, flavorful, and the perfect baked beans for any gathering.

Easy Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe

These hearty Baked Beans with Ground Beef are baked beans on steroids-a hearty side dish that's rich with bacon and ground beef. Sweet, smoky, saucy, and savory all with a variety of beans.

This perfect side dish makes hot dogs look gourmet.

You know when you go to family gatherings and taste a perfect dish that's so good you know you have to have this great recipe to add to your rotation? So...you walk around feeling like a stalker, asking... "Who made the ____?"

This is one of those dishes.

Actually, I remember the first time I tried them; a brother-in-law brought them to a family party.

FYI--This favorite recipe has outlasted the marriage. That means something, huh?

Ingredients

To create the best baked beans you just need a few simple ingredients:

Lean Ground Beef -You can use ground turkey, ground pork, etc, if preferred
Crispy Bacon-Any thick-cut bacon works.
Yellow Onion-I used yellow, but white would be just fine.
Dark Brown Sugar-Light or dark
Sugar-adds sweet flavor
Ketchup-contributes to the sweet, tangy sauce
Tangy BBQ Sauce-Use KC Masterpiece or something similar
Yellow mustard-plain old hot dog mustard brings a good tangy balance to the sweet
Black Pepper & Salt
Chili Powder
Canned Beans-You can't have good Cowboy Beans without several cans of beans. Our recipe uses pork & beans, black beans, and great northern beans.

Top Tips

Avoid stirring the bacon and ground beef once you have them settled in your skillet. If you leave them alone they actually brown and crisp a little. This gives the beans a deep flavor and better texture.
Black beans and great northern beans are DRAINED and RINSED in this recipe. I find it easiest to pour the canned beans in a strainer or colander and then run water over them in the sink until the water runs clear. If you don't rinse the beans your Baked Beans with Ground Beef will be murky-looking.
80/20 ground beef is ideal for Baked Beans with Ground Beef. This ratio number refers to the percentage of fat in the ground meat. The higher the second number the leaner the beef is. Fat contributes good flavor to this recipe.

How to Make the Best Baked Beans

Cook diced bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned and crispy.
Remove bacon and drain fat from skillet. I like to save dishes so, I put the bacon directly into the 2 ½-quart baking dish I'll be baking in.
Add the ground beef and onion to skillet. I suggest you avoid stirring the ground beef until it turns slightly crispy and brown.
Cook until ground beef is no longer pink and it is starting to crisp up just a little bit. Remove excess grease.
Add ground beef/onion mixture to 2 ½ -quart casserole dish with the bacon.
Add all remaining ingredients and stir well.
Cover and bake in your preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until bubbly.

Pro Tips

Cooking the bacon separately from the ground beef gives each meat a chance to achieve its individual textures.

I like to leave my ground beef a little chunky in this recipe. I suggest you don't smash it up when cooking it. Allow it to clump together in nickel to quarter sized pieces.

The can of pork and beans are NOT drained in this recipe. The tomato base adds to the sauce.

Substitutions and Variations

Beans - The original recipe calls for canned butter beans, but I can't find them in stores here now.

Kidney beans and navy beans also work in this recipe. You would need to drain and rinse both of these types of beans as well.

Peppers - Add some chopped green bell pepper if you like that flavor.

Spicy Baked Beans - Stir in sliced jalapenos along with your beans to bring up the heat in your baked beans.

FAQ

Can I make Baked Beans with Ground Beef in the Crock Pot?

Making these in the slow cooker is one of my favorite ways. Cook the bacon, ground beef and onions in a skillet first. Then put it all in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. They will be ready when you return home.

How Do I Store Baked Beans with Ground Beef?

If there are any leftovers... Cover the Baked Beans with Ground Beef and store in an airtight container the fridge for 3-4 days.

What ingredient makes baked beans more filling?

Adding the ground beef to these baked beans makes them more filling. But consider adding any meats you like from kielbasa to sliced hot dogs, these baked beans get even better.

Something Else to Try

If you're looking for another ground beef recipe for your dinner table, consider trying--

Quick Korean Bulgogi--another great ground meat dish that comes together in minutes. Sure to be a family favorite.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta--Another Hamburger Helper improved.

Homemade Hamburger Stroganoff--A family favorite that comes together in a flash.

What to Serve Alongside Baked Beans with Ground Beef?

This classic side dish makes every main dish you serve with it taste even better. Try with grilled pork chops, Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin, Sous Vide Whole Chicken, or Sous Vide Pork Roast.

For a big crowd and summer cookouts, Pork Butt in Roaster Oven served as a pulled pork sandwich is cost-effective and tasty.

Or for a couple of burgers to try, check out Porky Burger and Rodeo Burger Recipe.

Share the Love

Lastly, if you made Baked Beans with Ground Beef following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!