The Cat Did It Baked Beans

Dive into the irresistible smoky-sweet flavors of "The Cat Did It Baked Beans," a playful twist on a classic comfort food. Perfectly tender navy beans are baked in a rich, homemade sauce featuring a delightful balance of tangy ketchup, brown sugar, and molasses, with a savory kick from Dijon mustard and smoked paprika. Crispy diced bacon and sautéed onions elevate every bite, while a slow bake in the oven melds the flavors into pure perfection. This crowd-pleasing side dish is ideal for BBQs, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners. Easy to prepare with just 15 minutes of prep time, it’s hearty, flavorful, and destined to steal the show. Just be prepared for the compliments—and the inevitable joke that "the cat did it!"

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups (drained and rinsed) canned navy beans
• 6 slices (diced) thick-cut bacon
• 1 medium (diced) yellow onion
• 3 cloves (minced) garlic
• 1 cup ketchup
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).

Step 2

In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the pan with the bacon fat and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Add the drained and rinsed navy beans to the skillet or Dutch oven, along with the reserved bacon. Gently stir to coat the beans evenly with the sauce.

Step 6

Pour in the water and stir again. If the mixture looks too thick, add a little more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the beans are just submerged.

Step 7

Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 60 minutes.

Step 8

After 60 minutes, remove the lid or foil and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove the beans from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish, and watch them disappear! (If anyone asks about the empty dish, just say, 'The cat did it!')

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1437.8 grams (1437.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2298

Total Fat 43.00g	55%
Saturated Fat 14.20g	71%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.70g
Cholesterol 64mg	21%
Sodium 6330mg	275%
Total Carbohydrate 395.20g	144%
Dietary Fiber 55.10g	197%
Total Sugars 162.40g
Protein 91.20g	182%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 762mg	59%
Iron 21mg	114%
Potassium 4831mg	103%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 16.6%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 67.8%