Upgrade your baked beans from a classic side dish to a meaty, protein-packed main by adding lean ground beef. You will have a hearty casserole or even a soup, which is an easy, delicious, and fast midweek dinner option.
Baked beans with ground beef is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines the sweet taste of baked beans with the savory richness of ground beef. The combination of tender beans and seasoned ground beef creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. It can be served as a main course or a delicious side dish, and it is definitely a crowd-pleaser that never fails to impress.
Delicious cowboy casserole and quick to make (just under 30 minutes) no sugar added amazing protein and goodness-packed midweek dinner for your family and friends. This comforting and satisfying beef and bean chili meal is a classic favorite, it makes the perfect main or side dish often enjoyed during backyard barbecues, picnics, or cozy family dinners, a potluck option to take with you and impress your friends but also a great choice for a work lunch.
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🥘 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make this baked beans with minced beef recipe:
- lean ground beef - I always use a 5% fat or 95% lean organic ground beef
- baked beans ( I used homemade ones but canned ready-bought ones will work well.
- onion
- cayenne pepper
- nutmeg
- carrots
- salt and pepper to taste
- mustard seeds
- cumin powder
- canned cherry tomatoes
- fresh herbs - I used parsley, dill, and thyme
See the full recipe card below for quantities.
👩🏻🍳 How to make baked beans with ground beef
This is a straightforward, easy-to-make ground beef recipe, so yummy and hearty.
Place a pot on a medium-high fire and add the lean ground beef.
Add the remaining dry ingredients salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, and freshly ground black pepper and nutmeg.
Mix well and cook for approximately 10 minutes covered. Add 1/2 cup water or beef stock if necessary.
Bring in the freshly chopped herbs, and season more if necessary.
Add the canned cherry tomatoes and the baked beans. Mix and cook further until the gravy has reduced nicely.
Give it another mix, turn the heat off, and serve immediately.
Hint: To achieve a nice deep red color for this beefy baked bean soup or casserole, reduce the gravy by cooking it on low fire uncovered once you added the tomatoes and baked beans.
💞 Substitutions
- Ground beef - this can be substituted with ground turkey, chicken, lamb, sausages, hamburger meat, meatballs, or any soy product. Cubed tofu will also be a nice alternative.
- Cayenne pepper - this is spicy so if you do not like a kick, use smoked or sweet paprika instead.
- Fresh herbs - use your favorite herbs instead. Thyme, basil, coriander or cilantro, chives, spinach, or fresh oregano will work really nicely with this.
- Vegan - ground beef can be replaced with a plant-based mince to make this dish a vegan one.
- Vegetarian - add some crumbs of feta cheese to the vegan version.
🤹♂️ Variations
Other ingredients can be added to this baked beans casserole dish:
- Worchester sauce
- bacon - smoked is the best for a smokey flavor
- smoked paprika - if you do not wish this spicy
- chili con carne spice mix - for a beautiful taste and flavor
- peas - make a wonderful addition for both extra veg and extra color
- spinach - for extra goodness
- turmeric - a great and healthy addition
- celery - for extra flavor and different veg option
- curry powder - for some wonderful, exotic flavors
- shredded cabbage - for extra vegetables and fiber
All these variations were tried in the past and are truly wonderful.
- Extra spicy - add red chili flakes or fresh green chili while cooking to imbue heat into this beans and minced beef dish;
- Gluten-free - this dish is gluten-free but if you add any Worchester sauce or soy sauce make sure these are gluten-free ones
- Deluxe - add some chickpeas, fried onions, and a dollop of sour cream
- Kid-friendly - go easy on the cayenne pepper powder and chili flakes hide some veggies
- Soup - make it a soup by adding some beef, vegetables, or chicken stock.
See this pork joint and beans stew for another delicious alternative and so is this Chilli Con Meatballs.
📦 Storage
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Add a dash of water or stock when reheating on the stove or microwave.
❓FAQ
Yes, this is the perfect dish to make for later. Freeze it in the desired portions in airtight containers for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and heat it up to a boiling point (add more water if necessary), reduce to the desired consistency, season more, and serve on rice or pasta.
Yes, absolutely! It only implies two steps:
Step One – Add your baked beans and all the other ingredients to the slow cooker and stir.
Step Two – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for up to 8 hours.
Step One Set Instant Pot to saute setting. Add the minced meat and saute for a few minutes until it starts to get golden brown, tossing and scraping down the bottom of the pot often.
Step Two Add the carrot and onion and cook until tender.
Step Three Turn the IP off. Add the remaining ingredients and a little liquid and stir well to combine.
Step Four Secure the IP lid, close the steam valve, and cook on Manual (high pressure) for 15 minutes. Naturally, release the pressure.
Step Five Carefully open the lid, and stir the mixture to combine. Enjoy!
Note: This recipe has no added sugar but if you do wish to add sugar you may notice a burn on the bottom.
📍Other beans recipes you may enjoy:
📖 Recipes to pair beans and meat casserole with:
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page if you have made this recipe and liked it. Thank you so much for stopping by!
📖 Baked Beans With Ground Beef
Equipment
- pot
- woden spoon
- knife
- chopping board
- small grater
Ingredients
- 800 g baked beans (28.22 oz) or 2 baked bean cans
- 800 g ground beef (28.22 oz) 5% fat or 95% lean
- 400 g cherry tomatoes (14.11 oz) in tomato sauce
- 3 large carrots or 5 small ones
- 2 medium onions
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or himalayan
- 1 bunch fresh herbs (dill and parsley)
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- ⅔ teaspoon cayenne pepper or red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon organic turmeric (optional)
Instructions
- Place a pot on medium fire and add the ground meat once is hot. Add the chopped onion and garlic once it is beginning to sizzle. Mix and cook covered for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the carrot and the remaining dry ingredients (cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and allow to cook for a further 5 minutes. I also added turmeric but I have forgotten to put that in picture. It is optional though.
- Once cooked, add the cherry tomatoes and the baked beans. Cook for a further 5 -10 min uncovered so the gravy reduces and the dish gets a nice color.
- Add the fresh herbs and stir. Turn off the heat.
- The baked beans with ground beef is ready and can be served.
Notes
- If you are using ready-bought canned baked beans use low salt or add no more salt to the dish to keep it low salt if you are following a low-salt diet
- Add 2 or more (depending on personal taste) spoons of molasses or dark sugar. I personally like this dish without. Mind due, the ready-bought baked beans already contain sugar ;-).
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my gosh, I love how delicious and how easy to make this dish is.
My husband loves it and now he is asking me to make this again for dinner.
Ann says
This is always a classic, delicious, side dish to make. Everyone loves it! Not to mention, super easy to make.
Jamie says
To be honest, not a fan of beans but this dish looks amazingly delicious! Love the presentation and the sauce makes this so enticing and very appealing!