Baked Beans with Ground Beef Recipe | Hearty Homemade Cowboy Baked Beans
Baked beans with ground beef is a rich, hearty, and comforting dish that combines tender baked beans, seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and a sweet-and-smoky sauce into one satisfying meal. Often called Cowboy Baked Beans, this classic recipe is perfect for backyard barbecues, family dinners, potlucks, picnics, and holiday gatherings. Every bite is packed with savory beef, smoky bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, and sweet baked beans, creating the ultimate comfort food.
Ground beef is browned with onions and garlic before being combined with canned baked beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Crispy bacon adds smoky richness, while the sauce slowly caramelizes in the oven, creating thick, flavorful baked beans with a glossy finish. The combination of sweet, savory, smoky, and slightly tangy flavors makes this dish irresistible.
Baked Beans with Ground Beef pairs wonderfully with grilled burgers, hot dogs, barbecue ribs, fried chicken, smoked brisket, cornbread, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables. It can also be served as a hearty main course with fresh bread or biscuits.
Easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd, this classic recipe is a delicious blend of homemade comfort and barbecue flavor that everyone will love.
Cooking Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet until crispy.
- Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving a small amount of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and chili powder if using.
- Add the baked beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.
- Mix well and fold in the crispy bacon.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes, until hot, bubbling, and slightly caramelized on top.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
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