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Cozy Loaded Baked Beans Recipe with Ground Beef and Bacon

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A hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender baked beans loaded with ground beef and crispy bacon in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 cans baked beans (about 28 oz / 800g total)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  2. Sauté the diced onion in the bacon fat until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, careful not to burn.
  3. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving some for flavor.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen flavors.
  5. Add canned baked beans with their sauce to the skillet. Stir gently and bring to a low simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should thicken slightly.
  7. Crumble half of the cooked bacon and stir into the beans. Reserve the rest for garnish.
  8. Serve hot, topped with the remaining crispy bacon.

Notes

If the sauce thickens too much during simmering, add a splash of water or broth to maintain desired consistency. Avoid burning garlic by adding it towards the end of sautéing onions. Browning the beef slowly adds depth of flavor. For a slow cooker method, brown meat and bacon first, then cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, ground beef, bacon, comfort food, easy dinner, one-pot meal, smoky, hearty

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/cozy-loaded-baked-beans-recipe-with-ground-beef-and-bacon-perfect-for-easy-dinners/