Looking for a hearty and delicious meal that’s easy to prepare? Look no further than this Ranch Beef & Beans recipe. It’s a simple dish that’s sure to fill you up and satisfy your comfort food cravings. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for those chilly nights when you need something warm and comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. cooked, crumbled hamburger (drained)
- 1 c. onion, chopped
- 1 c. kidney beans, cooked and drained
- 1 c. butter beans
- 1 c. baked beans
- 3/4 c. ketchup
- 1 sm. can mild green chilies, chopped (opt.)
- 1 TBSP prepared mustard
- 1 tsp. beef bouillon
- 1/2 c. water
- 2 TBSP. honey
- 2/3 c. bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. garlic pwd
Cooking Method
- Combine all ingredients in large pot; simmer 30-45 minutes or until onion and bell peppers become soft.
- This recipe triples and freezes well.
- Serve with cornbread.
Calorie: 500
Total cooking time:45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Beginning of the Bean Bonanza
You know, there are some days when you just can’t resist the siren call of the humble hamburger. It beckons you into the kitchen with a cheeky grin, whispering sweet nothings about how it would love to be transformed into a hearty, soul-warming dish. And who am I to deny such an earnest request? But, let’s not forget about the co-stars of this culinary show: onion, kidney beans, butter beans, and the whole beans’ gang.
Becoming a Bean Believer
The first time I prepared this, I was skeptical about the beans. I mean, kidney beans, butter beans, and baked beans all in one pot? It seemed like a recipe for a gastronomical disaster. But oh boy, how wrong I was! The beans strutted their stuff like a seasoned pop band, each bringing a unique flavor that harmonized beautifully with the others. It was like watching the Beatles perform in my pot!
The Saucy Situation
Now, let’s talk about the ketchup, green chilies, and mustard. These three musketeers of flavor took the dish to a whole new level. As I stirred them into the pot, I could almost hear their tiny voices, “Fear not, for we bring flavor and fun!” They may have been small in quantity, but their impact was colossal – like a chihuahua who thinks he’s a rottweiler!
The Bouillon Breakdown
The beef bouillon was the unsung hero of this dish. It quietly stepped in, adding a depth of flavor that made the dish feel as comforting as a warm hug on a cold day. The water and honey also pitched in, creating a sweet and savory symphony that made my taste buds do a happy jig.
Pepper, Please!
Bell pepper, you’re up! It was like adding a pop of color to a black and white painting – it just livened things up. The bell pepper, with its crunch and slight sweetness, was like the life of the party, turning the pot of Ranch Beef and Beans into a gastronomical fiesta!
Worcestershire and Garlic: The Flavor BFFs
And then, there’s the Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. If I had a dollar for every time these two saved a dish, I’d be able to buy a lifetime supply of beans! They’re like the superhero duo of the culinary world, swooping in to save the day (or in this case, the dish) with their potent punch of flavor.
The Grand Finale
After simmering for 30-45 minutes, the onion and bell peppers softened, and the flavors melded together into a beautiful, delicious harmony. One bite, and I was transported to a cozy log cabin, with a warm fire crackling merrily. This dish triples well and freezes like a dream, making it the perfect solution for those lazy days when cooking feels like climbing Mount Everest.
Serve it up with a side of cornbread, and you’ve got a heartwarming meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.
And there you have it – the tale of how I conquered the Ranch Beef and Beans. It’s a saga of flavors and fun, a testament to the magic that can happen when you let your taste buds lead the way. So go ahead, give it a try, and let the humble hamburger surprise you!
