If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that brings together smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors in one dish, then this Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe will quickly become your new favorite go-to. It’s the perfect blend of tender beans, rich ground beef, crispy bacon, and a tangy, flavorful sauce all baked to bubbling perfection. Trust me, every spoonful feels like a warm hug on a plate, making it an ideal dish for family dinners or casual get-togethers with friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might be simple, but each one plays a crucial role in giving this casserole its incredible depth of flavor and satisfying texture. From the smoky bacon to the tangy barbecue sauce, each element adds its own personality to this classic comfort food.
- Bacon (8 slices, cut into ¼-inch slices): Adds a smoky crunch that elevates the whole dish.
- Ground chuck (1¼ pounds): Provides rich, juicy meatiness and a robust texture.
- Yellow onion (1 medium, diced): Brings sweetness and depth once sautéed.
- Bell pepper (1, cored and diced): Adds fresh color and a subtle crispness.
- Pork and beans (48-52 ounces, fat pieces discarded): The hearty base packed with tender beans in a savory sauce.
- Barbecue sauce (½ cup): Infuses tanginess and a smoky-sweet undertone.
- Ketchup (½ cup): Boosts the tomato flavor and adds just the right touch of sweetness.
- Country mustard (2 tablespoons): Delivers a gentle spicy kick to balance the sweetness.
- Worcestershire Sauce (2 tablespoons): Enhances umami and deepens the savory profile.
- Cider vinegar (2 tablespoons): Cuts through richness and brightens the dish.
- Dark brown sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds warmth and subtle caramel notes.
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and tying all flavors together.
How to Make Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Dish
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. This ensures your casserole won’t stick and will bake evenly with a perfect crust.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon and Brown the Beef
In a large saucepan, cook the bacon slices until they’re soft but fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess fat. Don’t toss out that fat in the pan! Add the ground chuck to the pan with this rendered bacon fat and brown the meat. Once cooked, drain any excess grease but make sure to leave about 2 tablespoons of that flavor-packed fat in the pan. Set the cooked meat aside for now.
Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Bell Pepper
Using the reserved bacon fat, add your diced onions and bell peppers to the pan. Cook these for about 3 minutes, or until they soften nicely and start to become fragrant. This step builds the aromatic foundation for the casserole.
Step 4: Combine Beans with Saucy Goodness
Stir in the pork and beans along with barbecue sauce, ketchup, country mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, cider vinegar, and dark brown sugar. Give everything a good mix to combine all the flavors thoroughly. Don’t forget to taste at this stage—season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to hit the perfect balance.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Pour the bean mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces evenly over the top—it creates a wonderful savory topping that bakes into the casserole. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to heat through.
Step 6: Finish Baking Uncovered
Remove the foil and pop the casserole back into the oven for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. This step thickens the sauce and lets the top develop a deliciously bubbly, slightly caramelized finish.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows everything to set slightly so each bite holds together perfectly, making it easier to scoop and enjoy.
How to Serve Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or green onions. These bright garnishes add a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that lightens each mouthful.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with simple cornbread or warm dinner rolls to soak up all that delicious sauce. For something lighter, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this casserole in individual ramekins for personal portions. You can also top with shredded cheese during the last five minutes of baking for a melty, cheesy crust. Adding a dollop of sour cream on the side offers a cool contrast that many will appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It makes a fabulous next-day meal when the flavors have had even more time to marry.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well if you want to save some for later. Transfer cooled casserole into an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, which helps maintain the casserole’s texture and flavor better than the microwave. If using a microwave, cover loosely to prevent drying out and heat in 1-minute increments until hot.
FAQs
Can I use different types of beans in this recipe?
Absolutely! While pork and beans are traditional here, feel free to mix it up with baked navy beans, pinto beans, or even black beans depending on your preference. Just make sure they’re cooked and drained well.
Is it possible to make this casserole vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the bacon and ground beef and increase the veggies or add plant-based meat substitutes. Adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke will help mimic that smoky, savory flavor.
What can I substitute for barbecue sauce?
If you don’t have barbecue sauce on hand, try mixing tomato sauce with a bit of smoked paprika, honey, and a splash of vinegar for a quick homemade version that works nicely.
How spicy is this casserole? Can I adjust it?
This Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe is mild by default, great for all ages. You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few shakes of hot sauce if you want to bring in some heat.
Can I make this recipe in advance and bake it later?
Definitely! Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Bring it to room temperature before placing it in the oven for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe enough for anyone craving a fuss-free, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing meal. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a celebration of all the good things comfort food is about. Give it a whirl—you’ll be amazed by how simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary!
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Skillet Baked Beans Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes uncovered + 30 minutes covered (total 60 minutes)
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Skillet Baked Beans Casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish combining smoky bacon, savory ground chuck, and tender pork and beans simmered in a tangy barbecue sauce mix, then baked to perfection. It’s a comforting casserole perfect for family dinners or potlucks, delivering a balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Meat & Protein
- 8 slices bacon (cut into ¼-inch slices)
- 1¼ pounds ground chuck
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 1 bell pepper (cored and diced)
Canned Goods & Sauces
- 48–52 ounces pork and beans (fat pieces discarded)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons country mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
Sweeteners & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Heat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Bacon and Ground Chuck: In a large saucepan, cook the sliced bacon until soft and fully cooked. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Add the ground chuck to the same pan with the rendered bacon fat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat, reserving 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Set the cooked meat aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Combine Ingredients: Add diced onion and bell pepper to the reserved rendered fat in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the pork and beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, country mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, and dark brown sugar. Mix well to combine. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then stir again.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake Covered: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the mixture to heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the casserole is thickened and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes to set. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty Skillet Baked Beans Casserole!
Notes
- Use country mustard for a mild tang; Dijon mustard can be substituted for more heat.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and ground chuck, and consider adding smoked smoked paprika to mimic smoky flavor.
- Covering with foil during the initial bake helps keep moisture in, ensuring the casserole is tender.
- Allowing it to rest before serving helps the casserole set and develop flavors.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar according to taste.
