This classic calico beans dish is a hearty mix of ground beef, crispy bacon, and tasty beans. It’s the perfect comfort food for family gatherings!
You’ll love how easy it is to throw everything together in one pot. Plus, it keeps everyone smiling and their stomachs full. Who can resist bacon? 🥓
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef: This is the heart of the dish! You can use lean ground beef to cut down on fat. If you’re looking for a lighter option, ground turkey also works great and maintains good flavor.
Bacon: Who doesn’t love crispy bacon? If you’re keeping it healthier, try turkey bacon or even skip it entirely for a vegetarian version with smoked paprika for a bit of smokiness.
Onion: A medium onion adds sweetness. If you’re not a fan of onions, you can leave them out and still have a tasty dish. Shallots are a nice milder alternative, or even green onions for a fresh twist.
Beans: Kidney, pinto, and white beans create a nice color mix. If you have other beans on hand like black beans or chickpeas, feel free to swap them in for fun variety.
Ketchup: Essential for sweetness and tang! If you want to avoid processed foods, homemade ketchup works too, or you can substitute it with BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor.
How Do I Ensure My Beans Are Cooked Perfectly?
Cooking beans just right makes all the difference! Here’s how you can achieve a tender texture without them being mushy.
- For canned beans, drain and rinse them well to reduce sodium and improve texture.
- When mixing them, be gentle. Over-mixing can break them apart.
- If using dried beans, soak them overnight and cook until tender before adding to your mixture for the best results.
Classic Calico Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can white beans (e.g., navy or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This dish takes about 15 minutes of preparation and 45-60 minutes to bake. In total, you’re looking at about 1 hour and 15 minutes from start to finish. It’s a great meal to make ahead of time, too, and it reheats beautifully for leftovers!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and warm for baking your beans later!
2. Cook the Bacon:
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s nice and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set it aside, but be sure to leave the bacon fat in the skillet for flavor.
3. Sauté the Onion:
Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent. This step adds a wonderful base flavor to your beans!
4. Cook the Ground Beef:
Next, add the ground beef to the skillet with the sautĂ©ed onions. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until it’s browned and fully cooked through. If there’s a lot of excess fat, feel free to drain some of it out.
5. Combine the Beans:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef and onions, crispy bacon, kidney beans, pinto beans, and white beans. This will be the hearty base of your dish!
6. Mix the Sauce:
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until it’s smooth.
7. Combine Everything:
Pour the sauce mixture over the meat and bean mix. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients, making sure everything is coated with that delicious sauce.
8. Prepare for Baking:
Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly so every part cooks nicely.
9. Bake to Perfection:
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. This is where all those flavors meld together!
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Once out of the oven, let the dish sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the beans set. Then, dig in and enjoy your warm, hearty calico beans!
FAQ about Classic Calico Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon
Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef and bacon. You can replace them with extra vegetables, like bell peppers and mushrooms, or use plant-based ground meat alternatives for added protein.
How Can I Adjust the Sweetness of the Dish?
If you find the dish too sweet for your liking, reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup or use less ketchup. You can also add a splash more Worcestershire sauce for extra depth of flavor without the sweetness.
Can I Prepare This in Advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dish a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the oven to ensure even cooking.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, just microwave or warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
