Favorite Baked Beans

Ingredients
1/2lb ground beef
2 slices bacon, diced (optional)
1 small sweet onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced (1/2 each of a red and green bell pepper, minced)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/4 TO 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons BBQ sauce 
2 tablespoons ketchup 
1 tablespoon dijon mustard 
1 tablespoon brown sugar 
2 (22 ounce) cans baked beans (I love Bush’s Grillin’ Beans for this recipe)
2 slices bacon, for topping (optional)

Instructions 
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

1. Brown and drain ground beef, set aside
2. Heat a large (oven safe, if you don’t want to transfer) skillet over medium-low heat and add the bacon. Cook until it’s brown and crisp and most of the fat is rendered.
3. Stir in the onion, pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until everything softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced bell peppers, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard and brown sugar until combined.
4. Stir baked beans directly from the can. Stir in ground beef. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat. I suggest tasting the beans here and adding more salt, pepper or heat if desired. If you'd like, you can lay a few strips of bacon on top of the beans here too!
5. Place the skillet (or transfer to an oven-safe dish) in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly and syrupy. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

Crockpot cooking: Use a skillet for steps 1-3, pour beans into the crockpot, stir in skillet contents and ground beef. Set crockpot on low for a few hours, stir occasionally. Check flavor when stirring and adjust as needed.

You can make these ahead of time - cook them in the skillet then let cook to room temperature and cover, placing in the fridge. Bake the next day (or whenever you’re ready!).

These also freeze well!
Original recipe and picture from howsweeteats.com