Ground Beef Baked Beans Recipe
I serve this hearty ground beef and bean bake with a tossed salad and some crusty bread for a balanced one-pot meal. It's nice to have this casserole in the freezer for those nights when there's no time to cook.
I serve this hearty ground beef and bean bake with a tossed salad and some crusty bread for a balanced one-pot meal. It's nice to have this casserole in the freezer for those nights when there's no time to cook.
- Carbohydrate 12.2750002921882 g
- Cholesterol 46.26642174 mg
- Fat 10.6356999572173 g
- Fiber 0.271236780952337 g
- Protein 13.3936888135104 g
- Saturated Fat 4.0213392355121 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -24 serving (113g)
- Sodium 315.169459303291 mg
- Sugar 12.0037635112358 g
- Trans Fat 1.51023016462158 g
- Calories 198 calories
Step-by-step
- In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients; heat through. Transfer to two greased 2-qt. baking dishes. Cover and freeze one dish for up to 3 months.
- Cover and bake the second dish at 400degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly.
- To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator. Cover and bake at 400degrees for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until bubbly.
Drain the browned ground beef thoroughly before mixing in the remaining components to prevent excess fat from pooling during the baking phase. Achieving the correct consistency relies on uncovering the baking dishes for the final fifteen minutes of the cooking cycle, allowing moisture to escape and the sauce to thicken into a glossy glaze. Onion soup mix and molasses provide a concentrated base, balancing savory elements with deep sweetness without requiring long simmering times on the stovetop.
Accompaniments That Cut Through Richness
Serving this heavy casserole requires foods that offer structural contrast and sharp acidity. A crisp green salad dressed with a bright vinegar vinaigrette slices directly through the dense, sweet profile of the baked beans. Crusty artisan bread provides a functional vehicle for scooping up thick portions while adding a dry, chewy texture that contrasts with the soft beans and tender meat. Avoid soft white sandwich bread, which collapses immediately under heavy gravies.Freezer Storage Protocols
Dividing the mixture into two separate two-quart vessels allows for immediate consumption and future meal planning. Wrap the unbaked portion tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn for up to ninety days. Thawing must happen entirely inside the refrigerator over twenty-four hours before the final oven heating cycle begins at four hundred degrees.
