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Easy Four Bean Hotdish pinterest

Easy Four Bean Hotdish

A hearty Midwestern classic that combines four types of beans with ground beef and a sweet-tangy sauce for a budget-friendly, protein-packed meal that costs less than $1.50 per serving to prepare.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Midwestern
Keyword: Bean Hotdish, Four Bean Casserole, Budget Friendly Meal, Comfort Food
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 385kcal
Cost: $12 total

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • Large Skillet
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium Bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef 85% lean works best for flavor
  • 1 large onion diced (approximately 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) butter beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) baked beans do not drain
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 6 strips bacon partially cooked and chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. When the meat is about 75% cooked (after approximately 5 minutes), add the diced onion and continue cooking until the onion becomes translucent and the beef is no longer pink.
  • Add the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all four varieties of beans. Drain and rinse three of the bean varieties (kidney, butter, and pinto), but leave the baked beans with their sauce.
  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld.
  • Add the browned meat mixture and sauce to your bean combination. Gently fold everything together using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, being careful not to mash the beans.
  • Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Layer the partially cooked bacon pieces across the top.
  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is slightly caramelized and the bacon is crispy.
  • Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This hotdish actually improves with time, making it ideal for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
For a healthier option, you can use 93% lean ground beef or turkey, reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons and add 1 tablespoon of molasses for depth without extra sweetness.
For a vegetarian version, omit ground beef and bacon; instead, add 8 oz of sautéed mushrooms and 1 cup of toasted walnuts for umami flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 695mg | Fiber: 11g | Iron: 4.5mg
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