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A close-up featured image of a delicious-looking Calico Bean Casserole, ready to be served.

Easy Calico Bean Casserole Bake

This easy Calico Bean Casserole Bake is a crowd-pleasing dish that combines a variety of beans with savory meats in a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for potlucks or a comforting weeknight meal, it's easily customizable to suit your taste.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large bowl
  • large skillet
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. Cook bacon until crispy, let cool slightly, then crumble.
  4. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  5. Add chopped onion to the skillet with the ground beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last minute of cooking.
  6. In a large bowl, combine all the beans (Great Northern, kidney, butter, pinto, and pork and beans).
  7. Add the cooked ground beef and onion mixture, crumbled bacon, ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard to the bowl.
  8. Stir everything together until well combined.
  9. Pour the bean mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until bubbly and slightly browned on top.
  11. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce. Add diced bell peppers, celery, or corn. Use sausage, ham, or pulled pork instead of ground beef. Experiment with different barbecue sauce flavors or apple cider vinegar. Make it ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and ground beef and add more vegetables. For a cheesy casserole, sprinkle shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the top during the last 15 minutes of baking.