Let's dive into the world of comfort food with this Hearty Homestyle Baked Beans recipe. It's the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with a warm, savory aroma and brings everyone to the table. Perfect for cozy dinners or backyard barbecues, this recipe is a true classic.
Navy beans are the star here, providing a creamy texture and mild flavor that absorbs the rich sauce beautifully. Bacon adds a smoky, savory depth, while its drippings enhance the onions. Molasses and brown sugar bring a sweet, caramelized complexity that pairs perfectly with the tangy ketchup and yellow mustard. A touch of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper gives a subtle kick, all rounded out with salt and black pepper for balance.
These baked beans are fantastic alongside grilled meats, especially sausages or ribs. For a vegetarian twist, serve with hearty cornbread and a crisp green salad. They also make a great topping for baked potatoes or as a filling for a rustic bean stew.
First, preheat your oven to 300°F. While that's warming up, you'll want to get your navy beans ready. Give them a good rinse and sort through to remove any debris. Place the beans in a large pot, cover with 8 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Let them boil for a couple of minutes, then turn off the heat and let them sit for an hour. This soak softens them up nicely.
Once the beans have soaked, drain and rinse them, then transfer them to a large Dutch oven. Next, take out your trusty skillet and fry up the bacon over medium heat until it's nice and crispy. Make sure to set that bacon aside for later, but keep those drippings—they're liquid gold for sautéing your onions until they're translucent.
Now, everything comes together. Add the cooked onions and bacon to the Dutch oven with the beans. Pour in the molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and smoked paprika. Give it all a good stir with the 2 cups of water to combine.
Pop the lid on your Dutch oven and slide it into the preheated oven. Let it bake for 5 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking. Adjust the seasoning to taste before serving, and you're all set!
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