Apparently, all I can think about lately is hearty, beefy comfort food! Last week was my special ingredient meatloaf recipe, and now I have an extra meaty baked beans recipe for you today! Maybe it’s the cooler weather. Maybe it’s my husband’s beef-loving ways starting to rub off on me. Or maybe it’s just because being a carnivore is so utterly delicious! Sorry vegetarians… just look away this week!
Okay… let’s talk baked beans. Do you love ’em or hate ’em? If we’re talking about the straight out of a can, plain jane baked beans, you can count me out. I’ll save room on my plate for something else! But if we’re talking about good baked beans with beef and bacon and barbecue sauce and brown sugar and bacon and oh, did I mention bacon? Yeah, I’m in!
This meaty baked beans recipe is easy and inexpensive to make and happens to be the perfect side dish for parties, cookouts, or tailgating. With options for baking in the oven OR using your slow cooker, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
If you’re looking to please a crowd full of men, boys, or hungry football fans, you will certainly appreciate having this recipe in your arsenal. Not that women won’t enjoy it as well, but in my experience, the guys go crazy over this one! Beef… bacon… I can’t imagine why. 😉
This hearty dish will definitely feed a crowd, which makes it perfect for parties. When I’m in a pinch for time, I’ll bake them in the oven, which only takes about an hour. When I’m busy preparing other food and want to keep the beans warm for awhile, I’ll go the slow cooker route. Both methods are easy and delicious!
I like using this particular baked beans recipe for a few reasons: #1 It uses a variety of different beans (4 to be exact!), which gives the dish great color and texture. #2 Bacon. No explanation needed. #3 It has a great depth of flavor from the brown sugar, molasses, and barbecue sauce. No bland or boring beans here!
P.S. If you have leftovers the next day, spoon the beans on top of hot dogs and add a layer of cheese for and extra meaty, extra delicious chili cheese dog. You’re welcome.
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- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1-16 ounce can butter beans, drained
- 1-16 ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 1-16 ounce can pinto beans, drained
- 1-16 ounce can pork and beans, not drained
- ½ pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brown the beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add the chopped onion and continue to cook until onion is tender. Drain any excess grease. Add remaining ingredients except bacon and stir to combine. Put beef and bean mixture in a large baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour, remove foil and top with bacon crumbles. Bake for another 5 minutes (without foil) and serve warm.
Are you making this recipe? I’d LOVE to see it! Post a photo on Instagram and use the hashtag #MyLGWRecipe. It may just get featured!
Still Hungry? Try These Recipes:
Slow Cooker Honey Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
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Liz, I am so with you on the comfort food! Whenever September hits (whether it’s cold or hot) that’s all I want to make. Luckily, here in the Midwest fall is in full swing and making a batch of these baked beans sounds like the perfect way to celebrate!
I think we’re going to have a beautiful fall in the Midwest! Before the nasty, cold winter hits… not looking forward to that!
We have this dish every now and then and my family loves it! We call it Aunt Diane’s Bean Dish. That’s where we first had it. Yummy!
I can imagine how good these baked beans would have tasted.. love the idea of adding bacon! Thanks for the great recipe!
You’re so welcome, Thalia! Everything is better with bacon, right? 😉
Years ago I went to a party and a friend brought something like this (but it was just baked beans not a mixture of beans). And I don’t remember if it had bacon. Regardless, I thought it was brilliant and I got the recipe. But when I tried it, it was a flop. Pinning this one for the next time I’m inspired or invited to a potluck.
I hate when that happens! Hopefully you will enjoy this recipe too. I know I certainly do. 🙂 Thanks for pinning, Karen!!
I will make this for the company Halloween party coming up but not with the can of ‘pork’n beans’! Why spoil all the real goodness! Tip: my mother always added a little molasses to her baked beans …amazing ‘secret’. 🙂
That’s great, Judy!
My family would go crazy for this! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
You’re so welcome, Karly! Hope you have a fantastic week, my friend!
Liz, I am all about homemade baked beans… and this creation is definitely going to be a winner in my house of boys! So thankful you shared this bacon and beef action with us at the Show Stopper!
Yes, these loaded baked beans are perfect for those hungry boys in your house! I know exactly how you feel with 3 boys of my own! Thanks for stopping by, Gloria!
I can’t wait to try this! I love your blog and it inspires me lots!! Mine is http://www.destinationfelicity.com and I want to be much more active after checking yours out 🙂 Thanks!
This is kinda like a recipe I make but in a 18 qt cooker… with 4 grown sons at home they eat it in 2 days … this would be great for when” empty nest” happens . Mine I called ” chuckwagon beans … it has just a few more meats in it.
Is there a print link so I can print the recipe and not the photos, etc? I’m not real savy on the computer.
Hi Lee! Yes, you should see a print button next to the recipe that only prints the recipe box. Let me know if you have any troubles finding it!
I grew up calling these Calico Beans. When I go to dinners where I know there will be meat dishes or to a cookout, I take these but makes them without the beef & used black beans, dark & light kidney beans & navy beans. Everyone loves them that way.