National Bean Day, January 6, is the perfect occasion to celebrate the versatile and nutritious world of beans. This Smoky Three-Bean and Bacon Casserole combines the rich, smoky flavors of bacon with a trio of hearty beans for a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a cold winter’s day.
Ingredients:
- 6 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your desired level of spiciness)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or an equivalent-sized casserole dish.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium-high heat until it becomes crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
- In the same skillet with the reserved bacon grease, add the chopped onion and diced red bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, or until they become soft and translucent.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained and rinsed black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This will be your flavorful sauce.
- Add the sautéed onion and bell pepper to the beans in the mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Pour the sauce over the bean mixture and stir until all the beans are coated evenly with the sauce.
- Transfer the bean mixture to the greased casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the cooked bacon evenly over the top of the bean mixture.
- If you prefer a cheesy finish, you can now sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole.
- Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the beans are bubbling and the cheese is melted (if using).
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.
- Once it’s done, remove the casserole from the oven, and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions if desired.
Enjoy your Smoky Three-Bean and Bacon Casserole on National Bean Day, savoring the rich, smoky, and savory flavors that beans and bacon bring to the table. This dish is perfect as a hearty side or even as a comforting main course for your bean-themed celebration.
