Cowboy Beans and Beef Casserole
This Cowboy Beans and Beef Casserole is the ultimate hearty, one-pan meal that tastes like a backyard barbecue in the middle of winter. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and smoky, thanks to the combination of brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Because it uses three different types of beans, it’s incredibly filling and has a great variety of textures that hold up well during the bake.
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Cowboy Beans and Beef Casserole
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Ground beef | 1 lb |
| Pork and beans (undrained) | 1 (28 oz) can |
| Kidney beans (drained and rinsed) | 1 (15 oz) can |
| Pinto beans (drained and rinsed) | 1 (15 oz) can |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 1 cup |
| Ketchup | 1/2 cup |
| Barbecue sauce | 1/3 cup |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 1/4 cup |
| Yellow onion (diced) | 1 small |
| Green bell pepper (diced) | 1/2 |
| Yellow mustard | 1 tablespoon |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic (minced) | 2 cloves |
| Vegetable oil or bacon drippings | 1/2 teaspoons |
| Chili powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Smoked paprika | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt and black pepper | To taste |
How To Make Cowboy Beans and Beef Casserole:
Step 1: Prep and Sauté: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and green pepper. Cook for 7/10 minutes until the meat is browned and the veggies are soft.
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Step 2: Season the Base: Drain any excess grease from the pan. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30/60 seconds until it smells fragrant.
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Step 3: Mix the Beans and Sauce: Add the undrained pork and beans, plus the drained kidney and pinto beans. Stir in the ketchup, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Give it a taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Step 4: The First Bake: Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Cover it loosely with foil and bake for 25/30 minutes until you see bubbles around the edges.
Step 5: The Cheesy Finish: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top. Return it to the oven, uncovered, for another 5/10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
Step 6: The Rest Period: Let the casserole rest for 5/10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly, making it much easier to scoop out hearty portions.
