Prepare to savor the ultimate comfort food experience with hearty and flavorful Meaty Baked Beans. This irresistible recipe combines crispy, smoky thick-cut bacon, seasoned ground beef, and tender baked beans, all brought to life with a sweet-and-savory blend of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and tangy apple cider vinegar. Enhanced with garlic, onion, and a hint of smoked paprika, these baked beans develop a caramelized, bubbly finish in the oven that’s sure to impress. Perfect as a side dish for barbecues or a hearty main meal, this crowd-pleaser is easy to prepare in under 75 minutes and serves six. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and enjoy a classic dish that strikes the perfect balance between comforting and gourmet.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Remove the bacon, place on paper towels to drain, and crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.
In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix well.
Fold the cooked ground beef, crumbled bacon, and sautéed onion mixture into the bowl of beans, stirring until evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to a large oven-safe baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm as a side dish or main meal.
Calories |
2567 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 119.7 g | 153% | |
| Saturated Fat | 45.7 g | 228% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 365 mg | 122% | |
| Sodium | 7984 mg | 347% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 264.2 g | 96% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.1 g | 122% | |
| Total Sugars | 134.8 g | ||
| Protein | 127.0 g | 254% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 499 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 21.6 mg | 120% | |
| Potassium | 4048 mg | 86% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.