Cheatin' Beans

You can tell everybody you baked these beans from scratch, and they'll never know the difference.

2 1-pound (or 15-1/2 ounce) cans pork and beans
1 pound bacon
1/2 cup chopped onions
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons catsup
1/2 teaspoon dried mustard

Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain the liquid from the beans. Remove and discard that token scrap of pork fat (if that's what it really is) they put in each can. Put the beans in a 2-quart baking dish.

Fry the bacon, remove it from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Sauté the onion in the bacon drippings until it is transparent. Remove onion with a slotted spoon and add to beans.

In a small bowl, blend the brown sugar, molasses, catsup and dried mustard.

Break or tear the bacon into 1-inch pieces and add to beans. Add the brown sugar mixture, and stir gently until all ingredients are incorporated.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring once. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Prep time: 20 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes; Total time: 50 minutes

Cheatin' Beans

Bean Notes