These Baked Beans and Sausage are hearty, meaty, and full of bold BBQ flavor. An easy one-pan side dish perfect for cookouts and family dinners.
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My wife has always been a huge fan of baked beans and is constantly trying new recipes for them. These Baked Beans with Sausage are a winner for sure. Made with just 8 simple ingredients, they are loaded with smoky, hearty flavor and are the perfect side dish for any BBQ or gathering!
We loved serving them alongside our Grilled meatloaf and Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs for a meal that is guaranteed to satisfy a hungry crowd.
Reader Review: "I made these for a game night and everyone loved them. They were loved by everyone." - Sarah
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A side-dish that feels like a main-dish - It is so delicious and feels much like a casserole instead of a side dish.
- Hearty and Filling - Adding in the sausage turns traditional baked beans into a filling, protein-packed dish.
- One-Pan Cooking - Everything comes together in one Dutch oven or skillet for easy prep and clean-up.
Equipment
- Flint and Flame Knives - Every kitchen needs a sharp knife, and the Flint and Flame knives are my favorite.
- Dutch Oven - This cast-iron Dutch oven is my favorite one-dish pan. From stove top to oven!
- BBQ Seasoning - I used Pig Rub by PS seasonings.
Ingredients
- Bacon: To add a smoky, savory flavor to the beans.
- Onion: Brings sweetness and depth when cooked with bacon.
- Pork-N-Beans: The classic base, you can use your favorite brand.
- Smoked Sausage: Adds hearty, smoky flavor. The perfect protein to make the side dish more filling.
- BBQ Seasoning: Enhances the overall BBQ flavor.
- Mustard: Adds a tangy kick that balances the sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: Brings a sweetness and helps create that classic baked bean flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: Ties everything together with rich, smoky BBQ flavor.
Tim's Tip: For the best flavor, let the bacon and sausage brown nicely before adding them to the beans.
How to Make Baked Beans with Sausage
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Prep the base: Chop the bacon and cook it over medium heat in a Dutch oven for about one minute. Add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until onions are soft.
3. Add the Sausage: Add diced smoked sausage to the Dutch Oven and cook until browned. Stir in your BBQ Seasoning once everything is nicely browned, then remove from the heat.
4. Add the Beans: Stir in the Pork-N-Beans, brown sugar, mustard, and BBQ sauce until everything is well combined.
5. Bake: Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until thick and bubbly.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use a Different Bean - Mix into Pinto beans or even kidney beans for a hearty texture.
- Make it Spicy - Add in your favorite hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños.
- Sausage Swap - Use andouille, chicken sausage, ground breakfast sausage, or a spicy sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Swap Sweeteners - Swap the brown sugar for maple syrup to change up the flavor and sweetness.
- BBQ Sauce Twist - You can use the flavor you like. Sweet, smoky, or spicy BBQ sauce, depending on what you enjoy. Totally up to you!
Tim's Tips
- Deglaze Your Pan - After cooking the bacon and onions, add about 2 teaspoons of liquid to the pan to deglaze it. You want all the flavor you can get!
- You can Make-Ahead - This recipe is perfect for summer prep; you can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. You will need about 15 extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
- Low and Slow is Best- For the best flavor, let the beans bake low and slow so the sauce can thicken properly and the sausage flavor fully blends into the dish.
What to Serve with Baked Beans
- Hot Dogs
- Smoked Hamburgers
- Oven Baked Country Style Ribs
- Serve alongside other sides like coleslaw and loaded potato salad!
Storage
Refrigeration: Store the cooled leftover baked beans in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezing: Frozen baked beans will last up to 3 months. Place cooled beans in a freezer-safe container before freezing.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. If needed, add a splash of beef stock or water to thin them out.
FAQs
Cook everything on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until thick.
Absolutely! Just use a larger Dutch Oven and increase cook time slightly to ensure everything is the right texture.
Smoked sausage or kielbasa is the best, because it holds its shape and adds a rich, smoky flavor.
More Delicious Side Dishes
What are the "must-haves" on your family menus? Let me know your family's favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Baked Beans and Sausage
Equipment
- 1 Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon Chopped into ½ inch pieces
- ½ cup Onion Diced
- 3 (16 oz) Cans Pork-N-Beans
- ½ lb Smoked Sausage sliced, I used kielbasa
- 1 tablespoon BBQ Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F
- Prep the base: Chop the bacon and cook it over medium heat in a Dutch oven for about one minute. Add diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until onions are soft.
- Add the Sausage: Add diced smoked sausage to the Dutch Oven and cook until browned. Stir in your BBQ Seasoning once everything is nicely browned, then remove from the heat.
- Add the Beans: Stir in the Pork-N-Beans, brown sugar, mustard, and BBQ sauce until everything is well combined.
- Bake: Bake 45-55 minutes until thick and bubbly.
Notes
- Deglaze Your Pan - After cooking the bacon and onions, add about 2 teaspoons of liquid to the pan to deglaze it. You want all the flavor you can get!
- You can Make-Ahead - This recipe is perfect for summer prep; you can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. You will need about 15 extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
- Low and Slow is Best- For the best flavor, let the beans bake low and slow so the sauce can thicken properly and the sausage flavor fully blends into the dish.
Storage
Refrigeration: Store the cooled leftover baked beans in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Freezing: Frozen baked beans will last up to 3 months. Place cooled beans in a freezer-safe container before freezing. Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. If needed, add a splash of beef stock or water to thin them out.Nutrition
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Tim specializes in homestyle cooking with a bit of global flare inspired by his travels to over 60 countries while working as a missionary. We hope you and your loved ones love these recipes as much as our family does.
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