🥘 Slow-Baked Pork & Bean Casserole
🛒 Ingredients
500 g pork (shoulder or belly, cut into chunks)
2 cups dried white beans (or 2 cans, drained & rinsed)
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1 bay leaf
2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
2 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prep the beans (if using dried)
Soak beans overnight in water
Drain and rinse before cooking - Brown the pork
Heat olive oil in a pan
Sear pork chunks until golden on all sides
Set aside - Build the base
In the same pan, sauté onion until soft
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute
Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly - Assemble the casserole
In a baking dish or Dutch oven, combine:
Beans
Pork
Onion mixture
Crushed tomatoes
Broth
Sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, bay leaf - Slow bake
Cover and bake at 160°C (320°F) for 2.5–3 hours
Stir once or twice during cooking
Add a little water if it gets too thick - Final touch
Remove lid for last 20–30 minutes to thicken and caramelize the top
😋 Tips
Even better the next day—flavors deepen overnight
Add carrots or bell peppers for extra veggies
A pinch of chili flakes gives it a gentle kick