Joelle's beans

My husband loves baked beans, and so do I.  We like our beans hearty and with a little meat added in. 
You can add a little sausage to the ground beef it adds lots of flavor and makes the beans even more delicious.  I use the easy way and used already cooked bacon pieces (like the ones you put in salad), sometimes I add 2 packages (MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE & DISGARD THE LITTLE PACKET THAT REMOVES THE MOISTURE IN THE BACON PIECES IT IS TOXIC). 
I have cut up and cooked bacon too but it is much easier to use the already cooked stuff.


And the beans are your preference too.  Just make sure you drain and rinse them (NOT the bake beans tho, you want that liquid).


I was trying to come up with a name for these beans, my husband says your known for your beans, why don't you call them Joelle's beans... (I knew I keep him around for a reason wink.. just kidding love ya honey ;)


Make these today.. they are so good and come together super easy.   Enjoy


Joelle's beans


2 large cans baked beans
1 can each, pinto, kidney beans, black beans, northern beans & garbanzo beans(drain beans well in colander)
1 lb ground beef, cooked & drained
1 package bacon pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup green pepper finely minced
1/3 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup ketchup
1 T Worchester sauce
1 T mustard
seasonings of your choice (** I used a pinch of red pepper flakes, cinnamon,cumin, paprika, salt & pepper, garlic & onion powder.








In large dutch oven brown meat, garlic and onion cook breaking up until no longer pink (drain grease).  Add remaining ingredients mixing well.  Simmer until thickened.  Taste & add more brown sugar if needed.  Enjoy

Easy tomato pesto sauce

I love pasta... a little too much :)  and I love an easier pasta sauce with lots of flavor.


 We have all had no flavor sauce and it is a little boring.  Nobody needs boring old pasta sauce.  Jazz it up. I made homemade meatballs to go with it, but you can use any precooked meat (think meatballs, cooked chicken tenders, or cooked meat either ground beef, turkey or chicken will work out just fine.  This fed our family of 4, but could easily be doubled.  I used store bought pesto, but homemade would be even better. 


Whatever you use, make this today and enjoy.






Easy Tomato pesto sauce


1 can tomato sauce (8oz)
3 Tablespoons prepared pesto
2-3 Tablespoons of hot cooking pasta water
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic minced
1 T brown sugar
Cooked pasta of your choice
Cooked meat (**see above)
Freshly grated parmesan cheese






In a skillet add olive oil, add fresh garlic, cook until fragrant.  Add pesto and tomato sauce, hot water & brown sugar mixing well.  Add meat and stir until bubbly and hot.  If too thick add a little more hot cooking pasta water. 


Serve over cooked pasta and add freshly grated parmesan cheese.  Enjoy