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Flavorful Simple Baked Beans Recipe Easy Dump and Bake from Canned Beans

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A quick and easy dump-and-bake baked beans recipe using canned beans, balanced with sweet molasses, tangy mustard, and smoky paprika for a comforting and flavorful side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) navy beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
  • ¼ cup (85 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) molasses
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Optional: ½ cup finely chopped onion or shallots
  • Optional: 2 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Drain and rinse the canned beans under cold water to remove excess sodium and canning liquid. Drain well.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
  4. If using, stir in finely chopped onion, cooked bacon, or red pepper flakes.
  5. Gently fold the drained beans into the sauce mixture, coating evenly but not mashing the beans.
  6. Pour the bean mixture into a prepared oven-safe casserole dish and spread evenly.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the sauce thickens and bubbles. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
  8. Check for doneness; beans should be tender but hold their shape and the sauce thick and glossy. Bake an extra 5-10 minutes if too runny.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to settle and flavors to deepen.

Notes

Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and prevent gummy texture. Adjust sweetness and tang by tasting sauce before baking. Cover with foil if top browns too fast. For creamier texture, add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk before baking. Assemble ahead and refrigerate overnight for improved flavor. Use a sturdy baking dish for even cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked beans, canned beans, easy recipe, dump and bake, side dish, comfort food, quick baked beans, smoky baked beans