Bean And Beef Barbecue Bake
A hearty baked casserole blending savory ground beef, beans, and aromatic spices, perfect for comforting family dinners and easy to customize with your favorite seasonings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1/8 cup diced green pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup minced onion ⓘ
- 1/4 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 1 (No. 2) can pork and beans ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dry mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. cumin ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and vegetables (green pepper, onion, celery) until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender.
- Add tomato sauce, water, minced garlic, wine vinegar, dry mustard, thyme, parsley, cumin, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture.
- Blend well and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Pour pork and beans into a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.
- Pour the meat mixture over the beans without stirring.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider incorporating some smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce into the meat mixture. If you want to make this dish vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based meat alternative. You can also use canned beans of your choice if you don't have pork and beans on hand.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Bean and Beef Barbecue Bake with a side of cornbread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Auntie Pat's Chili for a comforting dinner spread. Feel free to add toppings such as shredded cheese or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions until heated through or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes until warmed. This dish also freezes well; just thaw before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bean And Beef Barbecue Bake contains roughly 717 calories, with 23g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 41g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), calcium (85% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (49% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2245mg per serving (98% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meat and bean mixture a day in advance. Simply store it separately in the fridge and assemble it in the casserole dish before baking when you're ready to serve. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
What can I substitute for ground beef?
You can easily substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. For a vegetarian version, try using lentils or a meat substitute like tempeh or textured vegetable protein, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, include diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes when cooking the beef and vegetables. You can also serve it with hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).