Mom made these pinto beans any time she had the gang over for dinner. Once, she made a batch for my cousin’s birthday and he ate the entire thing himself!
—JOAN HALLFORD NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX
PREP: 25 MIN. • BAKE: 1 HOUR • MAKES: 10 SERVINGS
1/2 pound bacon strips, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
4 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring it occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 2 tablespoons in pan.
2. Add onion to the drippings; cook and stir over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, green chilies, brown sugar and seasonings. Sprinkle top with bacon. Bake, covered, 60-70 minutes or until heated through.
FREEZE OPTION Freeze the cooled bean mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat mixture through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary.