Baked Beans and Sausage

What happens when you take traditional pork and beans and crank the flavor up to 11? You get this recipe for out-of-this-world baked beans and sausage. Whether they’re paired with grilled meats or a full English breakfast, classic baked beans are packed with sweet and tangy flavor that compliments a wide variety of dishes and occasions. This recipe combines spicy pork sausage with six different kinds of beans in a zingy, bold, sticky-sweet sauce that may outshine the entrees.

Baked Beans and Sausage Ingredients

• Spicy pork sausage
• Green pepper
• Onion
• Canned pork and beans
• Canned kidney beans
• Canned great northern beans
• Canned black-eyed peas
• Canned pinto beans
• Canned chickpeas
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Ground mustard

Directions

Step 1: Saute the sausage

In a large skillet, cook and crumble the sausage over medium heat until cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off the fat and return the pan to the heat. Add the green pepper and onion and sauté until they’re tender. Drain any excess liquid and add the canned pork and beans, kidney beans, great northern beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, chickpeas, ketchup, brown sugar and ground mustard to the skillet, stirring to incorporate.

Step 2: Bake the beans

Pour the bean mixture into a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake it at 325ºF for one hour. Remove the foil and bake the beans for an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until they’re bubbly.

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

How to Store Baked Beans and Sausage

Once cooled, leftover baked beans with sausage can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for three to four days, or can be safely frozen for up to three to four months. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop until they’re heated through.

Baked Beans and Sausage Tips

Josh Rink for Taste of Home

Do I have to use pork sausage to make baked beans and sausage?

Not at all. Chicken or turkey sausage are both excellent substitutes for pork in this recipe, and will still produce a delicious batch of baked beans.

Can I used smoked sausage to make baked beans and sausage?

Yes, you can absolutely use smoked sausage in this recipe, but note that the texture and appearance of the dish will differ. For best results, choose a spicy variety like andouille or smoked chorizo, and slice it thin before adding it to the skillet.

Can I make baked beans and sausage a main dish?

Yes, you certainly can—in fact, there are many similar legume-based entrees like Louisiana red beans and rice, hoppin’ John and lentil dal. Serve it with a side of rice or a traditional garden vegetable salad for a hearty, complete meal.