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.