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Baked beans with ground beef with barbecue sauce

Baked beans with ground beef is one of those easy comfort meals that keeps showing up in family kitchens for a reason. It’s hearty, filling, and made with simple ingredients that come together without much fuss.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Can Opener
  • Baking dish (optional)
  • Mixing bowl (optional)

Ingredients
  

For the beef and bean mixture

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cans 16 oz each Baked beans
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil optional, for cooking

Optional toppings or add-ins

  • 4 slices bacon cooked and chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

Cook the beef

  • Place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. If your ground beef is very lean, add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil first. If it has enough fat, you can skip the oil.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and start breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring as it cooks so it browns evenly and doesn’t clump together.
  • Cook for about 6–8 minutes, until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains.
  • Drain off excess grease if needed, especially if you’re using 80/20 beef. Leave just a little behind for flavor.
  • Pro tip: Let the beef sit undisturbed for a minute or two before stirring too much. That helps it brown instead of steaming.

Add the onion and garlic

  • Once the beef is browned, add the diced onion directly into the skillet.
  • Stir it into the beef and cook for about 3–4 minutes until the onion softens and starts turning translucent.
  • Add the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  • You’ll notice the smell change right away—that’s when you know the base flavor is building.
  • Pro tip: Don’t add the garlic too early. It cooks quickly and can turn bitter if it sits in the hot pan too long.

Stir in the sauce ingredients

  • Add the barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
  • Stir everything thoroughly so the beef is evenly coated. The mixture will look thick and glossy.
  • Let it cook for about 2 minutes so the sugar dissolves and the flavors blend into the meat.
  • Scrape the bottom of the skillet as you stir to pick up all the browned bits—that’s extra flavor you don’t want to miss.

Add the baked beans

  • Pour in both cans of Baked beans, including the sauce from the cans.
  • Stir gently until the beans and beef mixture are fully combined. The sauce should look rich and slightly thick, not dry.
  • Lower the heat to medium-low and let everything simmer uncovered for about 10–15 minutes.
  • Stir every few minutes so nothing sticks to the bottom.
  • As it simmers, the sauce thickens and the beans soak up all that smoky beef flavor.
  • Pro tip: If it starts looking too thick, add a splash of water. If it seems too loose, let it simmer a few extra minutes uncovered.

Optional oven finish

  • If you want that classic baked-style top, transfer the mixture to a baking dish once it’s done simmering.
  • Spread it evenly and top with chopped bacon or shredded cheese if using.
  • Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, until hot and bubbling around the edges.
  • This step is optional, but it gives the top a slightly caramelized finish that tastes amazing.

Let it rest and serve

  • Turn off the heat and let the baked beans with ground beef sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
  • This helps the sauce settle and thicken just a bit more.
  • Spoon into bowls and serve warm. Add sliced green onions, extra bacon, or a little cheddar on top if you like.
  • I usually serve mine with cornbread because it’s perfect for soaking up every bit of that rich sauce.

Notes

Nutritional Value (Per Serving Approximate)

  • Calories: 420–480 kcal
  • Protein: 24g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
  • Iron: 15% DV
  • Calcium: 8% DV
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Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is intended for general guidance. We cannot guarantee its accuracy and recommend consulting a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.