Baked Bean Casserole

Looking for the ultimate comfort food? This Baked Bean Casserole is packed with flavor and has just the right balance of sweet and savory. With three types of beans, ground beef, and crispy bacon, it’s hearty enough to be a main dish but also makes the perfect side for a BBQ or potluck.

This delicious and easy baked bean casserole is the perfect recipe to make for your family dinner. With red and white kidney beans, bacon, and ground beef, this will surely be a meal the whole family enjoys. 

Baked bean casserole is a bit like a chili, minus the chili powder, but it’s not soupy. It’s meaty, bean-y, and soooo flavorful. You are going to LOVE this easy recipe. Our family sure does.

It’s got a bit of a sweet and sour thing going on with the sweetness of the brown sugar and the tang of the vinegar. And it has bacon! Everything is better with a little bacon added in.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: Just a few simple steps, and you’ve got a flavorful casserole ready to go.
• A Meal On Its Own: Between the beans and meat, this dish is super filling.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, BBQs, or potlucks—everyone will love it!
• Flexible Recipe: Customize it with different beans, meats, or spices to fit your taste.

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Bacon – Adds savory, smoky flavor.
• Ground Beef – Makes it hearty enough to serve as a main dish.
• Onions – White or yellow onions work great for that sweet and savory balance.
• Ketchup – Brings tangy sweetness to the mix.
• Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar keeps the casserole sweet but not overpowering.
• Mustard – Adds a little tang to balance the sweetness.
• White Vinegar – A splash of acidity cuts through the richness.
• Pork and Beans – The base of the casserole; any brand works!
• Red Kidney Beans – Adds protein and a deep, hearty flavor.
• White Kidney Beans – Milder in flavor and complements the other beans.
• Salt & Pepper – For seasoning.
• Green Onions (optional) – Sprinkle on top for a fresh finish.

How to Make Baked Bean Casserole

Follow along to learn how to make baked bean casserole!

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Step Two: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook bacon, hamburger, onions, and ketchup until meat is cooked and onions are softened.

• Step Three: Stir in brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, pork and beans, red kidney beans, white kidney beans, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Step Four: Add mixture to a 9×13-inch casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes. Serve hot. Sprinkle on green onions if desired.

What to Serve with It

It’s a meal on its own, but if you wanted to add a nice salad you could. I wouldn’t recommend potatoes or rice with it because I think that would be too heavy.

• Waldorf Salad
• BLT Salad
• Green Bean Tomato Salad
• Watermelon and Feta Salad  

Variations and Substitutions

• Meat Swaps: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or swap the bacon for ham or hot dogs.
• Extra Kick: Add a can of chili or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy twist.
• Bean Options: Try pinto beans, black beans, or even great northern beans.
• BBQ Flavor: Replace ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and vinegar with 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce.
• Vegetarian Version: Skip the meat and bacon. Add more beans (like butter beans or chickpeas) and some diced bell peppers for extra texture.

Storage Instructions

• Freezer: Let the casserole cool, then freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole and store it in the fridge before baking. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Drain & Rinse the Beans: This helps remove excess salt and keeps the casserole from being too soupy.
• Cook the Meat Together: Browning the ground beef, bacon, and onions together infuses the dish with flavor.
• Don’t Skip the Vinegar: It cuts through the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.

Bean Recipes

• Kidney Bean Bake
• Bean Salad
• Southwestern Turkey 5 Bean Chili
• White Bean Turkey Chili
• Slow Cooker Black Beans
• Dr. Pepper Baked Beans
• Baked Beans with Ground Beef
• Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

You’ll also like Shipwreck Casserole, Tater Tot Casserole and Mom’s Macaroni.

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