Description
Cowboy beans bring rustic southwestern charm to dinner tables with robust flavors and rich heritage. Packed with smoky bacon, tender beans, and zesty spices, you’ll savor this classic comfort dish that connects generations of home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans (28 ounces / 794 grams) Bush’s Original Baked Beans
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
Seasonings and Additions:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing for a robust bean casserole.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions and bell peppers, seasoning with garlic salt and onion powder. Carefully drain any accumulated fat.
- Transfer the browned meat mixture to a baking dish, introducing crispy chopped bacon for additional smoky depth.
- Incorporate brown sugar, mixed beans, tangy barbecue sauce, and zesty mustard, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Cover the baking dish with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil to trap moisture and intensify the bean mixture’s richness.
- Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven and bake for 60 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a thick, hearty consistency.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes, permitting the beans to settle and absorb remaining liquid before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that keeps the hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Reduce sugar content by using sugar-free barbecue sauce or replacing brown sugar with a small amount of maple syrup for natural sweetness.
- Enhance protein and nutrients by adding extra beans like kidney or black beans for a more robust and filling dish.
- Control sodium levels by choosing low-sodium barbecue sauce and reducing added salt, making this recipe more heart-friendly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 1180 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg