Baked beans with ground beef is a super easy dish made in one pot using canned beans, simple pantry ingredients and a quick method for a thick, hearty, weeknight-friendly meal.

And if you're looking for more easy recipes with ground beef, try my Hamburger Minestrone Soup or Cheeseburger Gnocchi next!

baked beans with ground beef with parsely

I love simple and hearty dinners that fill you up while being extra comforting, and these baked beans with ground beef are always high on my list.

They're savory and slightly sweet at the same time, and they're a great way to turn a few pantry staples into a thick, satisfying meal that works just as well on a busy weeknight as it does for feeding a crowd.

Why you'll love my baked beans with ground beef

Thick, saucy and filling, basically beefy baked beans done right!
Kid-friendly but still customizable if you like heat or smoke
Easy to scale up for potlucks, BBQs or meal prep

What you'll need

Ground beef - I prefer 80/20 ground beef for this recipe because it has just the right flavor.

Baked beans - Use your favorite brand (like Bush's, for example) as the base.

Onion + green bell pepper - Dice them small and even so they blend right into the sauce.

Ketchup - Again, use your favorite here. The ketchup adds a bit of acidity and tomato flavor, and it thickens the sauce.

Brown sugar - Adjust the quantity here according to how sweet you want the baked beans. You can start with just two tablespoons and go from there.

Worcestershire sauce and mustard - These add extra flavor to the sauce.

Pro tip

Don't drain the canned beans! Their liquid is seasoned starch that helps thicken the sauce as it simmers with the beef.

baked beans with ground beef with peppers

How to make baked beans with ground beef

This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté the onion and green bell pepper until softened.

Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until no longer pink.

baked beans with ground beef cooking steps

baked beans with ground beef making instructions

Stir in the baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, salt and black pepper until well combined.

Simmer covered until thick and saucy, adjust the seasoning to taste, then serve hot.

Substitutions and variations

Make the beefy beans a bit smoky by frying a few slices of bacon before browning the beef.
If you want to make this ground beef and baked beans recipe a bit spicy, add some diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
Or make it barbecue style by swapping the ketchup for your favorite BBQ sauce.

Helpful tips

Use regular ground beef, not extra-lean. The fat adds flavor and keeps the sauce from tasting dry; drain excess grease only if there's a lot of it.
Simmer gently with the lid on. A hard boil will break down the beans and reduce the sauce too fast.
Always taste before seasoning. Canned baked beans vary in sweetness and salt, so adjust with a pinch of salt or a splash of Worcestershire at the end if needed.

What to serve with ground beef and baked beans

These ground beef and baked beans are perfect with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken or anything off the BBQ, so they fit right in at cookouts and picnics.
Serve them with cornbread, coleslaw or a simple green salad to round up the plate.
Alternatively, spoon them over baked potatoes, rice or toasted buns for a fast, filling meal.

Leftovers and storage

Cool any leftovers completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water if needed; they actually taste even better the next day!
Freeze in meal-sized portions for up to 2-3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.