Maureen'S Beans
A hearty and flavorful bean casserole featuring a medley of beans, savory hamburger, and bacon, simmered in a tangy, sweet, and smoky sauce perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cans pork and beans ⓘ
- 1 can garbanzo beans ⓘ
- 1 can pinto beans ⓘ
- 1 can red beans ⓘ
- 1 can lima beans ⓘ
- 1 can butter beans
- 1 lb. hamburger ⓘ
- 4 to 5 slices bacon ⓘ
- 1 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. dry mustard ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. apple pie spice ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. molasses ⓘ
- 1/2 onion, chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- Drain all canned beans and place them in a large pot.
- Sauté hamburger, bacon, and chopped onion until cooked through, then drain excess fat.
- Chop the bacon into small pieces.
- In a bowl, mix catsup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, dry mustard, apple pie spice, and molasses.
- Combine all ingredients in the pot with beans and meat mixture.
- Slow cook on low for 3 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier dish, consider adding some chopped bell peppers or celery to the mix. You can substitute the hamburger with turkey or a plant-based ground meat for a lighter option. Adjust the sweetness by varying the brown sugar and molasses to taste. For added depth, try incorporating a splash of hot sauce or smoked paprika to enhance the flavor profile, similar to how it's done in Jimmy'S Baked Striper Recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Maureen's Beans hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color. This dish pairs beautifully with cornbread or a simple green salad for a balanced meal. Consider serving it alongside grilled meats or as a side to your favorite barbecue spread, similar to Baked Beans With Tomato Sauce, to complement the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a pot over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual servings, covered, for about 2-3 minutes or until hot. This dish also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Maureen'S Beans contains roughly 936 calories, with 11g protein, 137g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (35% of the Daily Value), iron (31% of the Daily Value), and potassium (29% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1160mg per serving (50% 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 use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried beans, but you'll need to soak and cook them beforehand. Make sure to adjust the cooking time in the slow cooker, as dried beans will take longer to become tender compared to canned beans.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can omit the hamburger and bacon, replacing them with additional vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for added texture. Use vegetable broth instead of meat-based sauces to maintain flavor while keeping it vegetarian.
What can I do if I want a spicier version?
To spice things up, add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the bean mixture before cooking. Additionally, consider using spicy barbecue sauce or incorporating some cayenne pepper into the sauce mix for 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).