Loaded Baked Beans Recipe

Introduction

Loaded Baked Beans are a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a comforting meal at home. Combining smoky bacon, ground beef, and sausage with sweet and tangy baked beans, this recipe delivers a satisfying mix of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces diced bacon (regular cut preferred)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 14 ounces sliced smoked sausage (or Kielbasa sausage)
• 1 cup diced sweet onion
• 1 cup diced green bell pepper
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 (28-ounce) can baked beans
• 1 (15-ounce) can drained and rinsed dark red kidney beans
• ⅔ cup barbecue sauce
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: In a large oven-safe pot, cook the diced bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease and discard the rest.
3. Step 3: Using the same pot, brown and crumble the ground beef over medium-high heat until no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess grease. Return the cooked beef and bacon to the pot.
4. Step 4: Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to sear. Remove and reserve with the bacon and beef. Drain any excess grease from the sausage.
5. Step 5: Add the reserved bacon grease back to the pot. Sauté the diced sweet onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
6. Step 6: Return the cooked beef, bacon, and sausage to the pot with the sautéed vegetables.
7. Step 7: Stir in the baked beans, kidney beans, barbecue sauce, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
8. Step 8: Once everything is heated through and combined, transfer the pot to the oven. Bake for 40 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smokiness, use smoked sausage and add a splash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level; omit it for a milder version.
• Try substituting ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe pot, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before baking.

Storage

Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish also freezes well—freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without bacon?

Yes, you can omit the bacon and increase the sausage or ground beef slightly to maintain the richness. You might also add a bit of smoked paprika for a similar smoky flavor.

What can I serve with loaded baked beans?

These beans pair wonderfully with grilled meats, cornbread, or a green salad for a balanced meal. They also work well as a hearty side dish at barbecues and potlucks.

Loaded Baked Beans Recipe

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4.4 from 81 reviews

Loaded Baked Beans is a hearty, flavorful dish combining crispy bacon, savory ground beef, and smoked sausage with tender baked beans and a rich, tangy sauce. Perfect as a comforting side or a main dish for family gatherings and potlucks.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats

• 12 ounces diced bacon (regular cut)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 14 ounces sliced smoked sausage (or Kielbasa sausage)

Vegetables

• 1 cup diced sweet onion
• 1 cup diced green bell pepper
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper

Beans & Sauces

• 1 (28-ounce) can baked beans
• 1 (15-ounce) can drained and rinsed dark red kidney beans
• ⅔ cup barbecue sauce

Other Ingredients

• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F to warm up while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Crisp Bacon: In a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat, add the diced bacon. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease and discard the rest.
3. Brown Ground Beef: Using the same pot with the reserved bacon grease, add the ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes, breaking it up and stirring occasionally, until no pink remains. Drain excess grease, then combine the cooked beef with the reserved crispy bacon.
4. Cook Sausage: Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Sear over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove the sausage and reserve with the bacon and beef. Drain any excess grease from the sausage.
5. Sauté Vegetables: Return the reserved bacon grease to the pot. Add diced sweet onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
6. Combine Meats and Vegetables: Add the cooked ground beef, bacon, and smoked sausage back into the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Stir to mix evenly.
7. Add Beans and Sauces: Stir in the baked beans, drained kidney beans, barbecue sauce, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
8. Bake: Transfer the pot (if oven-safe) or pour the mixture into an oven-safe dish. Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 40 minutes to meld the flavors and heat through.

Notes

• Make sure the pot you use is oven-safe, or transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish before baking.
• You can adjust the cayenne pepper to make the dish more or less spicy according to your preference.
• For a smokier flavor, use Kielbasa sausage or smoked sausage of choice.
• Drain and rinse the kidney beans to reduce excess sodium and starch.
• If you want a thicker sauce, cook uncovered during baking to allow some moisture to evaporate.

Keywords: Loaded baked beans, baked beans recipe, hearty beans dish, smoked sausage baked beans, comfort food, potluck recipes