Calico Beans

Easy, economical comfort meal. Easy to double, adapt and freezes well. Great to take to a friend's house for a party, new baby, or sick family member. My aunt gave me the recipe and I use it all the time. I have made it for a family reunion (30 people)and for our family. I have recently altered it for a vegetarian guest and I didn't miss the meat!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  onion
• 1 -4  garlic clove
• 1⁄2-1  lb ground beef
• 1 (24 ounce) can  baked beans (UNrinsed)
• 1 (12 ounce) can kidney beans (rinsed)
• 1 (12 ounce) can garbanzo beans (rinsed)
•  catsup
•  mustard
•  brown sugar
•  vinegar
• 1⁄2 lb  cooked bacon, if desired

Directions

1. Heat pan. Add olive oil and cook garlic and onion until opaque. Add ground beef and cook through.
2. Add remaining ingredients to crock or baking pan. Remember to rinse the beans except for the baked beans. I never measure the catsup, mustard, brown sugar or vinegar, but I gave estimates.
3. If baking, place in 350 oven until heated throughout ~ about 1 hour.
4. If heating in crockpot, turn it on low and heat throughout ~ 1 to 1.5 hours.
5. For the budget conscious, decrease meat and add a can of your favorite beans and/or serve over rice, rolls or biscuits to increase the amount of servings.
6. Can be made for vegetarians. Don't add the ground beef and add cooked rice (1 cup uncooked)or pasta (8 oz). Make sure to get vegetarian baked beans.