I have to tell you about my absolute favorite secret weapon for family reunions. You know that incredible smell that just takes over the whole house and makes everyone start hovering around the kitchen with forks in their hands? That is exactly what happens every single time I make this. I started bringing these beans to our summer cookouts years ago and now I am not allowed to show up without them. It is technically a side dish but it is so hearty and filling that it usually becomes the main attraction. I love using a mix of high quality beef sausage and lean ground beef because it creates this rich smoky flavor that you just cannot get with beans alone. It is total comfort in a bowl and I am so excited to share my tips with you.

Why You Will Love This baked beans with ground beef and sausage

You are going to be obsessed with this recipe for so many reasons. Here is why it is a total winner in my book.

It is packed with two different types of protein which makes it a full meal on its own.
You probably already have most of the ingredients sitting in your pantry right now.
It is the best dish for feeding a huge crowd or for prepping your lunches for the week.
The mix of sweet brown sugar and savory mustard is a flavor combination that everyone from kids to grandparents will love.

Ingredients for baked beans with ground beef and sausage

I like to keep things simple and high quality. We are using beef sausage here to keep that deep savory flavor going strong.

1 pound lean ground beef.
1 pound beef sausage sliced into rounds.
2 cans of your favorite canned beans about 28 ounces each.
1 large yellow onion finely diced.
1 green bell pepper chopped up small.
1/2 cup brown sugar.
1/4 cup yellow mustard.
1/2 cup beef broth which helps keep the sauce the perfect consistency for baking.
1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Salt and black pepper to taste.

How to Make baked beans with ground beef and sausage

This process is super straightforward and I will walk you through exactly how I do it in my own kitchen.

1. Brown the Meats

First things first you need to get those meats cooking. Grab a large skillet and brown the ground beef along with the beef sausage over medium heat. This usually takes me about 10 minutes. You want the meat to be fully cooked and the sausage to have those nice crispy brown edges. Make sure you drain off the extra fat so the dish stays flavorful but not greasy.

2. Sauté the Vegetables

Now toss your diced onions and bell peppers into that same skillet. Cook them for about 5 minutes or until they get soft and see through. This is where you really start building that flavor base that makes the sauce so good.

3. Combine and Bake

Get a large casserole dish ready. Mix in your cooked meats and vegetables along with the beans brown sugar mustard broth and all your spices. Give it a really good stir so every bean is coated in that sauce. Pop it into a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 45 to 60 minutes.

Expert Tips for baked beans with ground beef and sausage

I have made this dish dozens of times and I have learned a few tricks along the way to make it perfect every single time.

If you like your sauce to be extra thick and sticky just take the cover off for the last 15 minutes of baking.
If the mixture looks a little too dry before you put it in the oven just splash in a little more beef broth to loosen it up.
Please let the dish rest for at least 10 minutes after you pull it out of the oven. This helps the sauce thicken up and lets all those flavors really settle together.
Do not drain the liquid from your canned beans. That liquid is full of flavor and helps create the base for your homemade sauce.

Common Questions About baked beans with ground beef and sausage

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

You definitely can. Just brown your meat and veggies on the stove first then throw everything into the slow cooker. Set it on low for 4 hours and it will come out tasting just as delicious.

How do I store leftovers?

Just put them in an airtight container once they have cooled down. They stay great in the fridge for up to four days. Honestly I think they might even taste better the next day because the sauce gets even richer.

Can I use different types of beans?

For sure. I usually stick with navy or pinto beans but I have used kidney beans or even black beans when I was in a pinch and it still turned out great.

Nutritional Information for baked beans with ground beef and sausage

Here is a quick look at the estimated nutrition for one serving of this hearty dish.

Calories: 420 kcal
Protein: 28g
Total Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 14g