The Best Cowboy-Calico Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef (round or sirloin)
4 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 (16 ounce) cans pork and beans, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup catsup
1/4 cup barbecue sauce (I use Hunt's original or hickory)
2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard (Coleman's)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper (do not add any salt)
1/2 - 1 teaspoon chili powder, to taste

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Brown beef, bacon and onion in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat.
Add beans and remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.
Pour into two (1 1/2- quart each) buttered baking dishes.
Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until beans reach desired thickness (do not stir---a nice chewy, crispy crust will form, which is my favorite part--yum!).
Alternatively, place in a buttered crock pot and heat on low for about 4 hours, uncover during the last hour of cooking if you like your beans thick.
Freezes/reheats well.