This Baked Three Bean Casserole is perfect for all your summer parties! It’s always a crowd pleaser!
Updated: This post was first published here at the BHK in July 2015. I decided it was worthy of a reshare, so I’ve added a VIDEO below right above the recipe to show you folks how easy it is to whip up.
Beans, beans and more beans!
I know what you’re thinking, but come on, we can get past that little poem can’t we? We’re all adults here aren’t we? Ok, ok, I know it’s funny, but we all know it wouldn’t be a summer BBQ without baked beans!
And these beans….oh yeah….your’re gonna love ’em!!
I don’t usually like to refer to anything I whip up in the kitchen as “the BEST thing ever” because I like my guests to come to their own conclusions. I do have to say though, after serving up this Baked Three Bean Casserole for years, (a lot of years) I am pretty sure all of my summer guests refer to these beans as the BEST!
This recipe comes from a cookbook my mother gave me when I graduated from college a few years back. Ok, I’m lying. It was more than a few years back, but nevertheless she gave me the cookbook and I’ve made dozens of recipes from it, and they have all been winners!
This recipe is quick, easy (check out the VIDEO below and see how easy) AND it’s a ONE pot wonder! No big mess in the kitchen! YAY!! I’m always excited about dishes that only require one pot, especially in the summer!
This bean casserole has 3 different types of beans, hence the name, Baked Three Bean Casserole along with some hamburger, bacon and onion! Just fry up the bacon, then the hamburger and onion, then add the rest of the ingredients, mix well and bake! It’s that simple. I put mine in a casserole dish for my photos today, but you don’t need to do that unless you want to be fancy. Just make it, bake it and serve it right out of the dutch oven!
I hope these beans are as popular at your next BBQ as they have been at ours over the years. Enjoy your holiday weekend and see you back in the kitchen next week!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Baked Three Bean Casserole Recipe:
You can use light red or dark red kidney beans for this recipe.
I add 1/2 cup light brown sugar firmly packed, but if you like things less sweet don’t pack your sugar.
BAKED THREE BEAN CASSEROLE RECIPE VIDEO
This Baked Three Bean Casserole is perfect for all your summer parties! It's always a crowd pleaser!
- 1/2 lb. bacon, chopped
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 28-oz. can pork and beans
- 1 20-oz. light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 20-oz. can butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large Dutch oven or deep braiser, over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pot with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
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Remove all but two tablespoons of bacon fat from pot. Add ground beef and onions and cook over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.
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Add all other ingredients and the cooked bacon to the pot. Mix well. Bake for 35 minutes.
Adapted from Casseroles, Casseroles, Casseroles
Looks delicious, Mary Ann! I love beans :)
I love them too Jennifer and this recipe is a summer favorite! Enjoy your weekend!
BBQ-ing without this dish would be criminal. I love them!!!
I think you may be right! I also think not eating zucchini casserole may be criminal too! Lol!
This looks very good, my husband would love this. I like it because it is quick and easy.
It is SO easy Gerlinde! I bet he will!
Looks so hearty and delish! Gotta love those one-pot wonders ;)
Absolutely Allie! Perfect for summer!
I’m always looking for ways to fancify (that’s a word, right? ;) ) beans, and this looks like the perfect way! The addition of bacon is pure GENIUS! Another great recipe, Mary! :D
Thanks Kennedy! Old favorites are always the BEST!
These look so delicious!! I’ve never tried butter beans but now I want to! Haha- I love that you mentioned the poem! Can anyone ever make beans without saying it? Not in my house :)
I have two boys! I’ve heard that poem a million times! Lol!
Wow, Mary Ann! This is baked beans to a whole new, hearty, seriously delicious level! Love that this takes beans from a side dish to a show stopping main! Love this! Pinned!
As far as the song associated with beans… I’ll be 100 years old, still giggle and sing that song in my head! ♡ Cheers, pretty lady!!
Thanks Cheyanne! These really are some serious baked beans! Cheers and enjoy the weekend!
I love that this recipe is different from the standard baked beans. This casserole looks hearty and delicious. I definitely need to add it to my dinner menu soon!
It really is a meal in itself Ashley! It has been a favorite for years! Thanks for commenting and enjoy the weekend!!
My husband grew up eating a casserole like this! He always talks about it being one of his favourite meals that his mother made. I’m going to make this for him!
You should! He is going to love it!
Delicious!!!! Mother knows best as they say… My mother also gave me cookbook too. This is good for the weekend where my family is complete. Thanks a lot for sharing…
You’re very welcome Charlotte! Thank you so much for commenting and following the blog!
I have made this for decades… it was handed down from my Mom but we always add Kielbasi to it as well… it’s a Burgh thing… thank you for sharing
Great idea Scott! Glad you enjoy it too! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment!
Can you use great northern beans instead of butter beans ? Thanks for getting back to me. Have a Great Weekend and Happy New Year
Yes you can. Just use the same can size. This is one of my favorite side dishes! Hope you enjoy it too. Thanks so much for following and Happy New Year!
This has been a go to casserole for years. I use my moms recipe that also calls for a couple of teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. It adds just a bit of acid without over powering. But to anybody that hasn’t tried this…. go for it. Always a crowd pleaser!!
One of my favorites too Bob! Thanks for the tip of using the apple cider vinegar!
Thanks for reminding me! This was my most requested dish at our tailgates years ago!
Time to start making it again. Thanks so much for following!
It’s an absolute MUST at our house for the 4th Barb! It is always a crowd pleaser!
i love this.. i did have to sub a few things.. but,,, my crew here loved it.. I had 1 hamburger and a smoked kielbasa sausage and i used Truvia light brown sugar.. awesome recipe .. My daughter says it will be a good winter soul food meal. Thank u for sharing it…
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Roberta! This is an old stand by at our house. I make it all year long, but especially for summer bbq’s! Thanks so much for following!
I love these beans. Usually, I make them in the crock pot, rather than the oven. They are good any way you make them.
I agree Jolayne! Always a crowd pleaser!
How long in the crock pot
Hi Chad. I’ve never cooked these in the crock pot. I’m guessing you’d brown your beef and bacon first, then add everything to the crock pot and cook for about 3-4 hours on high. Enjoy!
OMG could not believe that I saw this dish. It brings back so many memories of my Mom. This was one of her dishes that she made when I was growing up. The other weird thing is, is that I am making this tonight for supper. A nice creamy cole slaw and the meal is complete.
Thanks for the memory.
Yay! Reminds me of my childhood too Diane! My mother made it for all the summer bbq’s!!
Honestly, we wouldn’t complain if this one is served as main… with some lettuce aside :-) Perfect, as usual !
You’d really enjoy it Davorka!
Wow, Mary Ann, you know how to get my attention! This looks wonderful – add a little side salad and I’d gladly make a meal of this!
Thanks Marissa! It’s been a winner here for years.
So full of flavour – what a great side dish!!! I can imagine this always being a hit at parties for sure. I am thinking some leftovers with a poached egg would be delicious, too!
Yes! Great idea Alex.
Looks so flavourful and filling! This casserole would definitely be a hit at our summer gatherings. I’d love it served up with some burgers!
A total hit guaranteed!
These beans really do look like the best and they would be perfect for the 4th of July! I’m loving your new videos! Nicely done!!!
Thanks so much Kathy!
This is ALWAYS a hit! I make all year round, my family loves it.
So happy to hear Lala! We love it too and enjoy it year round.
Hi do you cover this when you put it in the oven?
No, you don’t need to cover. Enjoy!