Calico Beans Bake

This sweet and savory calico beans bake is the ultimate comfort food casserole—loaded with hearty beans, smoky bacon, and seasoned ground beef all simmered together in a rich, tangy sauce.

It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and brings everyone back for seconds.

Perfect for potlucks, backyard BBQs, camping trips, or easy weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.

The combination of tender beans and a sweet, slightly tangy glaze creates a crowd-pleasing dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats or stands strong all on its own.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup bacon, chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pork and beans
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans
  • 1 (15 ounce) can lima beans, drained
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped bacon until fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease.
  3. Transfer the cooked meat mixture into a 4-quart casserole dish.
  4. Add pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans, and lima beans to the dish.
  5. Stir in the brown sugar, chopped onion, celery, ketchup, white wine vinegar, and mustard powder. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
  6. Cover the casserole dish with a lid or foil and place it in the preheated oven.
  7. Bake for about 1 hour, or until the mixture is hot, bubbly, and the flavors have melded together.
  8. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm.

Chefs Notes

  • For extra depth of flavor, try adding a splash of molasses or a dash of smoked paprika.
  • You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile.
  • This dish reheats extremely well, making it perfect for leftovers or meal prep.
  • If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly and taste before baking.
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