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Cozy Loaded Baked Bean Casserole Recipe with Brown Sugar Easy and Perfect

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A comforting and hearty baked bean casserole with smoky bacon, sweet brown sugar, and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for cozy nights and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (about 2 cans, 15 oz / 425 g each) baked beans (homestyle or maple-flavored)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (turkey bacon optional)
  • 1/4 cup (packed, about 50 g) dark brown sugar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of salt, adjusted as needed
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 100 g), sharp or mild
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. In a large bowl, combine baked beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions and garlic, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until evenly coated.
  5. Pour the mixture into a 9×9-inch casserole dish and spread evenly.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top.
  7. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges start to brown. If cheese browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  8. Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

[‘Use dark brown sugar for richer caramel notes.’, ‘If cheese browns too fast, cover casserole loosely with foil.’, ‘For vegetarian version, omit bacon or substitute with smoked tempeh or sautéed mushrooms.’, ‘Adjust seasoning after mixing before baking.’, ‘Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.’, ‘Reheat covered in oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: baked bean casserole, brown sugar, bacon, comfort food, easy casserole, cozy dinner, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/cozy-loaded-baked-bean-casserole-recipe-with-brown-sugar-easy-and-perfect/