Baked Bean Casserole

This baked bean casserole has a blend of smoky bacon and tender beans coated in a delicious homemade sauce. It's a savory, hearty, and flavorful side dish everyone will love!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The flavor. This is basically like the best baked beans you've ever had but ten times better! The beans and bacon are coated in a savory, tangy, and flavorful sauce. Baked until the beans are perfectly tender, each bite is loaded with a whole lot of flavor.

It's versatile. This is the perfect summer side dish if you're having a cookout or an easy savory side for the holidays. Or just an easy side for a busy weeknight meal alongside this spaghetti casserole. Trust me, you'll be finding an excuse to make this baked bean casserole for every occasion!

It's customizable. You can easily add in or take away anything that you want from this recipe. It's super versatile, and you can change up the flavor every time you make it.

Ingredients

• Beans- I used canned Great Northern beans.
• Bacon- chopped into small pieces or slices.
• Yellow onion- chopped and diced.
• Barbecue sauce- your favorite one!
• Ketchup
• Yellow mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dill pickle juice- it may sound odd, but trust me, it gives the sauce an incredible flavor.
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

If you have extra great northern beans, you can use them to make my great northern beans recipe next! And if you have extra bacon and spices, you can use them to make my crock pot baked beans or this delicious shipwreck casserole for something a little different.

How To Make Baked Bean Casserole

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC) and coat a baking dish or casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Cook bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and grease it with nonstick cooking spray. Add the bacon and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until crispy. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any grease.

3. Cook onion: Add the chopped onion to the same skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

4. Make the sauce: Add in your favorite barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, pickle juice, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. Mix in the beans until well combined.

5. Bake the casserole: Transfer the bean mixture to the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the cooked bacon on top. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and thickened. Serve hot or at room temperature.

My Pro Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Add brown sugar to the sauce mixture for a little sweetness.
• Add green bell pepper or jalapeños to the skillet with the onions for a spicy twist.
• Mix in cooked ground beef or diced ham for a heartier version.
• Use pre-cooked bacon to save some prep time for the pork and beans.
• Make these baked beans vegetarian by leaving out the bacon.

How To Store and Reheat Leftovers

In the fridge: Store the leftover baked bean casseorle in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

In the freezer: Cool the casserole completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating: My go-to way to reheat the leftovers is to transfer everything to a casserole dish and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions in 20-second increments, stirring between each one. Let the frozen beans thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to serve with baked bean casserole?

This baked bean casserole goes great with any comfort food like loaded baked potato casserole, panko breaded pork chops, meatloaf with stuffing, or boneless pork ribs.

Can I use different types of beans for this casserole?

Yes. If you don't want to use great northern beans, other types of beans such as kidney beans, black beans, butter beans, or pinto beans, all work great. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if necessary since different beans have different cooking times.

How to add flavor to baked beans?

Sauteed onion, crispy bacon, garlic powder, paprika, and a sauce are all ways to add flavor to baked beans. You can also use three different kinds of beans for more flavor.

More Recipes To Try  

• Grandma brown baked beans
• Baked beans with bacon
• Baked beans with ground beef
• Chicken cauliflower casserole
• Apple pie baked beans
• Ham and beans
• Butter beans
• Charro beans