Mom's Cowboy Calico Beans

Mom's Cowboy Calico Beans

1-2 lb. hamburger

1/2 lb. slab bacon

1 large diced green pepper

2-3 stalks celery…diced

8 oz. can mushrooms drained or 8 oz. fresh mushrooms (chopped)
1 onion, chopped 
24 oz. can Bushes baked beans 
15 oz. can kidney beans, drained 
15 oz. can butter beans, drained
2 can’s pinto beans, drained
1 c. catsup
1 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. vinegar
2 tbsp. dry mustard

2 can’s pork & beans

1 can ro-tel diced tomato with green chilies

2 tbsp. dark molasses

Brown and drain hamburger. Slice bacon into bite sized pieces; brown and drain. Sauté onion and green pepper, celery and mushrooms in bacon grease. Combine meat, sautéed onions & veggies and beans in large casserole. Blend all other ingredients to make sauce. Pour over bean/meat mixture. Cover and cook 1 hour at 350 degrees. Cut through to serve.

Mom's note: Some people like BBQ sauce added to the mix. I don’t. Also I have had this with small weenies chopped or polish sausage, ground turkey or ground pork would also work.

I’d get 2 lbs. of the 80-84% hamburger. The 93% doesn’t have as much flavor.