Three Bean Casserole Recipe – Easy One Pot Dinner

Three Bean Casserole is a hearty skillet dinner combining three types of beans (green, kidney, and white/navy beans) with a savory sauce, onions, and beef. If you’re looking for an easy, comforting dinner, you might just like this simple one dish dinner!

Three Bean Casserole (aka Calico or Chuckwagon Beans)

This three bean casserole is proof that classic comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. This recipe is easy and customizable, so you can tweak it to your liking and make it your own. Next time you want a fuss-free, satisfying meal, this casserole might just be the perfect recipe for you.

Three bean casserole, a childhood favorite of mine. It’s right in there with Dairy Casserole and Beef Vegetable Soup. My mom used to make this, and I was always happy to see it on the table for dinner! I love how pantry staples turn into something so satisfying and full of texture.

This is a budget friendly dinner, and it makes a good sized batch! (Enough to serve leftovers for lunch the next day, yay!)

I’ve seen similar recipes called “Calico Beans” and “Chuckwagon Beans”, some without meat and served as a side, so yes. Three Bean Casserole can also be a side dish, and a perfect one for backyard barbecues or potlucks.

And actually, I’m not sure why we always called it Three bean casserole, when it doesn’t actually get baked; it’s more of a stew or skillet dinner. Anyway, it’ll always be Three Bean Casserole to me.

Supplies we Used:

• Large skillet – or frying pan, or soup pot.
  
• Cutting board and kitchen knife – to chop the onion. (Actually, I used my vegetable chopper. I’m no good at chopping an onion evenly with a regular kitchen knife!😆)
  
• Measuring cups and spoons
  
• A spatula or two
  
• A strainer – to drain the beans
  
• Spoon – to stir the casserole

Ingredients

• Ground beef – we like the 70/30 ground beef (and no, I don’t drain off the extra grease. What does that say about us?😅) Lean meat is fine, too.
  
• Onion – a diced medium onion, and I usually go for the sweet or yellow ones.
  
• Pork and Beans – canned pork and beans in tomato sauce from the store. Regular baked beans are ok, too.
  
• Kidney beans – either light or dark red, whichever you prefer.
  
• Green beans – I use frozen ones from my freezer, but canned green beans would work well also.

That sweet & tangy sauce:

• Ketchup
  
• Brown sugar
  
• Barbecue sauce – your favorite kind! We’ve been liking Blue’s Hog the last while.
  
• Mustard – classic yellow mustard
  
• Salt
  
• Chili powder – for a little more flavor.

This post contains affiliate links. As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you purchase through our links. Thanks for supporting our little family!

How to make Three Bean Casserole

Dice the onion, then cook the ground beef and diced onion together in a large frying pan. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the kidney beans.

Once the ground beef is cooked, drain off the grease if you wish. Then add all the rest of the ingredients into the skillet with the ground beef mixture and stir. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the green beans are soft.

Serve and enjoy!💛

How to Store Leftover Three Bean Casserole

Store any leftover Three Bean Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Tips, Tricks + Notes

• When it comes to the beans, you can use any of your favorite kinds instead of kidney. Regular baked beans can be used instead of the pork and beans, and lima or butter beans can be added instead of green beans, and so on. Hey, you can even add extra beans to stretch the meal a little further! All that to say, use these ingredient amounts as a guide and use what you have on hand!:)
  
• If you’re wanting to use dry beans instead of canned beans, hmmm. I’ve never done that. I’m thinking you’d have to soak and cook the beans first before adding them to the casserole, though.

Share this easy recipe for Three Bean Casserole 

More delicious meals the whole family will love:

• 

  Dinner | Main Dishes | Recipes

  Healthy Chicken & Rice Bake (Easy Sunday Lunch Recipe!)

• 

  Dinner | Main Dishes | Recipes

  Spanish Rice Skillet Dinner Recipe – Easy One Pot Meal!

• 

  Dinner | Main Dishes | Recipes

  Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole – Easy Dinner Recipe

As always…

Thanks for visiting our small town! We’re delighted to have you and you’re more than welcome to stay awhile and explore!

’til next time,

We love you and we’ll be praying for you,

Julie