Go Back
–+ servings

Camper's Casserole

BeefCasseroleGastro-PubOven
Time :1 hour 25 minutes
Yield :8 servings
Print
Share :
Add as Preferred Source on Google

Recipe Background

Camper's Casserole blends earthy beans, beef, and bacon for comforting depth.
This Camper's Casserole brings a nostalgic, campfire warmth to the table, seasoned with the earthy tones of several beans mingling with the richness of ground beef. The aroma of bacon sizzling away with onions and celery greets you long before the dish is ready, setting the stage for a comforting meal. By the time the casserole comes out of the oven, the kitchen is filled with a hearty fragrance that embraces you like an old flannel.
The texture is a satisfying blend—from the creamy butter beans to the meaty chunks of beef, each bite offers something new. Balance is a theme here: the sweet hint of brown sugar plays beautifully against the tang of white wine vinegar and mustard powder, creating a depth that keeps you digging in for more. A practical tip: let it rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to settle; this not only makes serving easier but heightens the taste experience.
Perfect for sharing, this dish turns a simple evening at home into a communal experience, inviting conversation over the echoes of clinking forks. It’s a reminder that great meals don't need to be fancy—just layered with tastes and made with care.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup bacon chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pork and beans
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can butter beans undrained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can lima beans drained
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery chopped
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the ground beef and the bacon to the skillet and cook, while crumbling the beef, until evenly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Drain the grease from the skillet.
  • Transfer the ground beef mixture to a 4-quart casserole dish.
  • Add the pork and beans, the kidney beans, the butter beans and their liquid, the lima beans, the brown sugar, the onion, the celery, the ketchup, the vinegar, and the dry mustard to the ground beef mixture and mix well.
  • Bake the casserole, covered, until bubbly and heated through, about 1 hour.
  • Serve.
×