Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Meat & Aromatics

• 1 lb ground beef

• ½ lb bacon, chopped (optional but highly recommended)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)

Beans

• 3 cans (15 oz each) baked beans or pork & beans

Sauce

• ½ cup ketchup

• ¼ cup BBQ sauce

• 2 tbsp yellow mustard

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp molasses (optional, adds richness)

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp chili powder (optional)

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the meat

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until lightly crisp.

3. Add ground beef, onion, and bell pepper.

4. Cook until beef is browned and onions are soft.

5. Drain excess grease.

2. Mix the beans and sauce

1. In a large bowl or Dutch oven, combine:

   • baked beans

   • ketchup

   • BBQ sauce

   • mustard

   • Worcestershire

   • brown sugar

   • molasses

   • paprika

   • pepper

   • chili powder

2. Stir in the cooked beef & bacon mixture.

3. Bake

• Transfer mixture to a casserole dish or bake directly in a Dutch oven.

• Bake 45–60 minutes, until thickened and bubbling.

• Rest 10 minutes before serving (it thickens as it cools).