Calico Baked Beans & Spaghetti Salad

Well... I survived my son Charlie's open house... I had no idea how much work went into one and thank god for my friend and family for helping me out.... I wouldn't have made it without them.. I have been working 10 hours a day 7 days a week for a couple of weeks prior to this so needless to say I am totally and completely exhausted.... Onto to recovery and enjoying the rest of the summer :)

I have added both the slow cooker and the regular instructions to these beans.. either way you make them they are yummy....

I served these beans and spaghetti salad at his open house and they were huge hits.  I made about 15 lbs. of baked beans and 4 lbs of spaghetti to make salad... lots of salad and beans :)  You can use whatever veggies you like in the salad... use what you like... enjoy

Calico Baked Beans

3 large cans of Bush's regular baked beans
1 can each of the following beans, drained and rinsed (Red Kidney beans, butter beans, black eyed peas, black beans, pinto beans)
1 lb. ground chuck
1 lb. bacon, sliced
1/2 cup ketchup
3 T. cider vinegar
3 T. mustard
3 T. molasses
1/4 cup brown sugar
seasonings: pinch of red pepper flakes, seasoned salt & pepper, garlic powder)
1 T. worchester sauce
1 onion, finely diced
1/4 green pepper finely diced

In large skillet brown ground chuck, onion, green pepper and bacon cooking until both are browned and done.  In slow cooker add remaining ingredients adding meats.  Stir well and cook on low for around 6-8 hours or until thickened.  Alternatively, you can drain meats, and add remaining ingredients to a large pot and cook simmering on low for around 1-2 hours until thickened. 

Spaghetti Salad


1 lb. spaghetti
1 bottle Good Seasons Zesty Italian dressing
1/2 bottle McCormick's Salad Supreme
1 T. sugar
small can sliced black olives, drained
cut up veggies of your choice,  ( I used red pepper, green pepper, green onion, seeded peeled english cucumber) grape tomatoes (cut in half)
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook spaghetti as directed on package, drain well. Put spaghetti in large bowl, add remaining ingredients sprinkling salad supreme over all mix well.  Cover and place in fridge overnight to blend flavors... add parmesan cheese if using, mix well and serve.