Hearty Pinto Bean and Bacon Casserole

Ingredients

• Pinto beans (4 cups, cooked and drained)
• Bacon (8 slices, chopped)
• Onion (1 medium, diced)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Tomato sauce (1 cup)
• Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
• Mustard (1 tablespoon)
• Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon)
• Salt (1 teaspoon)
• Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Cheddar cheese (1 1/2 cups, shredded)
• Green onions (1/4 cup, sliced for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet, leaving the rendered bacon grease behind.
3. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bacon grease. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in the cooked pinto beans, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine and heat through for about 5 minutes.
5. Transfer the bean mixture to a greased casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
6. Sprinkle the crispy bacon and shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the bean mixture.
7. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.