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Clay’s Famous Three-Bean Casserole Recipe

Clay’s Famous Three-Bean Casserole

A hearty baked-bean casserole combining ground beef, bacon, three kinds of beans, and a tangy-sweet sauce. The casserole bakes until hot, bubbling, and slightly thickened for a comforting dinner that serves about eight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and Vegetables
  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • 6 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 medium Medium onion, chopped
Beans
  • 1 15-ounce can Pork and beans or baked beans, undrained
  • 1 15-ounce can Kidney beans, drained
  • 1 15-ounce can Butter beans or lima beans, drained
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Ketchup
  • 1/2 cup Packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Prepared yellow mustard
  • To taste Salt and black pepper

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart casserole dish or a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the bacon until crisp, drain it, and crumble it into bite-size pieces. Set the bacon aside while preparing the beef mixture.
  3. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion together in a large skillet until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is tender, about 8–10 minutes. Drain the excess fat well.
  4. Combine the beef and onion mixture, crumbled bacon, undrained pork and beans, drained kidney beans, drained butter beans or lima beans, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and black pepper.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly so the casserole cooks at a consistent rate.
  6. Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, until hot, bubbling, and slightly thickened. Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drain the ground beef well to prevent a greasy casserole. The pork-and-beans sauce should remain in the dish because it supplies moisture and seasoning. For make-ahead preparation, assemble several hours in advance or refrigerate overnight; if chilled, allow approximately 10–15 extra minutes of baking time.