Three-Bean Baked Beans

A post about beans doesn't sound very exciting, does it? Well, sometimes the simple, unexciting things are the best! I've been making this bean dish for umpteen years, I don't even remember where the recipe came from.  Whenever I make it, it gets devoured, everyone loves it. I love the variety of beans in this dish, they make this a little different version of baked beans. This is a great dish for holiday gatherings, such as the upcoming Memorial Day.

The best thing about this baked bean dish is that it doesn't take hours to cook, no overnight soaking of beans.  It starts with canned beans, some cooked bacon, ground beef and onions.  Throw it in a casserole and bake!  For really large parties I will double the recipe and throw it in a crockpot for a few hours at low temp.

Three-Bean Baked Beans

½ pound ground beef

5 bacon strips, diced

½ cup chopped onion

2 cans (16 ounces each) pork and beans, undrained

1 can (16 ounces) butter beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup ketchup

¼ cup barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon salt

 

In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, brown the beef, bacon and onion; drain.  Add beans.  Combine remaining ingredients; stir into bean mixture.  Pour into a greased 2-1/2 quart baking dish.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until beans reach desired thickness.