Calico Bean Casserole

I think the crock pot is ignored in the summer.  It really saves heating the house up with the oven and stove when your air conditioning is working over time already.  I found this recipe on www.allrecipes.com and adapted as suggested for the crock pot.  I did cut back the brown sugar and I also browned the bacon, onion and beef in a skillet before tossing it all together in the crock pot.  Everyone really liked it and I will be sure to make a double batch next time so there are leftovers.

Calico Bean Casserole

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can baked beans with pork
1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, undrained
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (reduced from ¾ cup)
1 pound lean ground beef
4 ounces bacon, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Or use the Crock Pot as Mentioned Above.

In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the ground beef, bacon and onion together until ground beef is no longer pink. Drain fat.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, baked beans with pork and butter beans. Stir in the ketchup, white vinegar, dry mustard, brown sugar and cook beef mixture. Mix thoroughly, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the bean and meat mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.