Baked Beans Tomato Molasses Sauce (Printable)

Slow-cooked navy beans in rich tomato molasses sauce, perfectly sweet and savory

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 pound dried navy beans (about 2½ cups) or 3 cans (14 oz each) navy beans, drained and rinsed

→ Sauce Components

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
05 - ¼ cup molasses or dark treacle
06 - 3 tablespoons brown sugar
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1 cup water
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How To Make It:

01 - If using dried beans, soak them overnight in plenty of cold water, then drain. Place in a large pot, cover with fresh water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 1 hour or until tender but not falling apart. Drain and set aside.
02 - Preheat oven to 325°F.
03 - In a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute to develop flavors.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt, and water. Mix well until combined and simmering.
06 - Stir in the prepared beans, ensuring they are well coated in the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer.
07 - Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and beans are completely tender.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot as a side dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The slow oven time does nearly all the work for you, leaving you free to handle other dishes or simply relax
  • That perfect balance between sweet molasses and tangy tomatoes makes these beans impossible to stop eating
02 -
  • Dried beans absolutely need that overnight soak or they will never become tender no matter how long you bake them
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it stands, so do not worry if it looks slightly thinner than you want when it first comes out of the oven
03 -
  • Add a piece of smoked pork or bacon during baking if you want that smoky depth without overpowering the beans
  • A few drops of liquid smoke can mimic that slow cooker flavor without any meat at all
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