Ranch Beans with Beef

Ingredients and Weight:

• 3 cups (18 ounces) dried navy beans, picked over and rinsed
• 10 cups water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup Ranch dressing
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

2 hours

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Place the beans in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, or until the beans are tender.
2. While the beans are cooking, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, Ranch dressing, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
5. Drain the beans and add them to the skillet with the sauce. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
6. Serve immediately, topped with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 15 grams
• Carbohydrates: 45 grams
• Protein: 20 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory and flavorful
• Hearty and filling
• Perfect for a casual meal or potluck
• Easy to make and customize to your taste

User Comments:

• "This is the best baked beans recipe I've ever had! The Ranch dressing adds a unique flavor that makes it irresistible."
• "These beans are so easy to make and they're always a hit with my family. I love that they're so versatile - I can add different vegetables or spices to change up the flavor."
• "I made these beans for a potluck and they were a huge success. Everyone loved them and asked for the recipe."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• To save time, you can use canned beans instead of dried beans.
• If you don't have Ranch dressing, you can substitute your favorite bottled or homemade salad dressing.
• Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce for a smoky flavor.
• Serve with cornbread, biscuits, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.