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Three-Bean Baked Casserole with Tomato sauce

Three-Bean Baked Casserole with Tomato Sauce

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven For boiling the beans until tender.
  • Large skillet To sauté the aromatics and build flavor.
  • Casserole dish (9x13) This will house the beans while they finish cooking in the oven.
  • Mixing bowl For combining sauces and flavor elements.
  • Wooden spoon For stirring and scraping all that good stuff off the pan.
  • Aluminum foil To cover the casserole during the initial bake and keep moisture in.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried navy beans
  • 1 cup dried kidney beans
  • 1 cup dried pinto beans
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup molasses or maple syrup for a lighter flavor
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cups water or vegetable broth
  • Olive oil for sautéing
  • Optional: 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon if you're not keeping it vegetarian

Instructions
 

Soak and Cook the Beans

  1. Rinse and soak the dried beans overnight in cold water. The next day, drain, rinse again, and add to a large pot with fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 45 minutes or until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside. (Pro tip: If you’re in a hurry, this step can be replaced with three cans of drained and rinsed beans.)

Sauté Aromatics

  1. In a large skillet, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, sautéing until softened and golden—around 5–6 minutes.

Build the Sauce

  1. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and spices to the skillet. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for 5–7 minutes to thicken and intensify the flavors.

Mix the Beans and Sauce

  1. Transfer the cooked beans to a large bowl and pour the sauce over them. If you're using bacon, toss it in now for a smoky hit. Stir to coat everything evenly.

Bake to Perfection

  1. Pour the bean mixture into your casserole dish. Add 2–3 cups of water or broth to help everything meld together in the oven. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the top is bubbling and slightly caramelized.

Cool and Serve

  1. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This makes the sauce thicken up and gives the beans time to settle.