1-Getting started with this baked beans ground beef casserole is straightforward and fun. First, preheat your oven to 350°F and coat a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray to keep things from sticking. This simple step ensures your dish comes out clean and ready to serve.

2-Next, cook the 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes until it’s browned, breaking it up with a fork as it cooks. Once done, drain any excess fat if you want a leaner meal. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ground beef with the ¼ cup dried minced onion flakes, 2 (15-ounce) cans pork and beans, 6 tablespoons ketchup, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1¼ teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, mixing everything well for even flavor.

3-Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish and arrange the 5 slices of precooked bacon on top. Cover it with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes until it’s thick and bubbly. To customize, consider options like using plant-based crumbles for a vegan twist or gluten-free beans to meet dietary needs the cooking time stays the same.