I'll be completely honest. Baked beans aren't typically my thing.  There are very few foods that I will not eat and the few foods on that list are there because of texture issues.  Baked beans are most definitely on that list.  So are a lot of "bean" variations. Refried beans are a prime example. Ick!

That said, my good friend and What's Cookin'? guest Patty Millay may have just changed my mind. I understand that there are people out there who don't like beans. But, is there anyone out there who doesn't like a good old-fashioned apple pie? Well, Patty's recipe combines them both.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Baked beans and apple pie?  REALLY? The answer's simple. YES!  Really.  Here's Patty's game-changing recipe.

APPLE PIE BAKED BEANS

Patty Millay
Patty Millay
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From Patty:

Your family knows you better than anyone else in the world!  This recipe was a challenge from my best cousin, Becky, and she knows that I can't pass up a dare from her!  Apple pie mix in baked beans...who in the world thought of this!  I can't pass up a family dare so I took this one on and honey is it good!  The bonus on this is that I got my first cast iron Dutch oven and I LOVE HER! Mark this one in your favorites for Labor Day and any cookout that you want to show off for!

1 lb breakfast sausage (Patty strongly recommends Tennessee Pride Mild)
1 red sweet pepper diced
1/2 small sweet onion diced (1 Tbl onion flakes are fine as a substitute)
1/2 bottle of bar-b-que sauce (your choice on brands - inexpensive is fine)
2 Tbl yellow mustard
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 28 oz cans of Busch's baked beans
1 can apple pie filling
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2-3 shakes of red pepper flakes
DIRECTIONS:
Dice your onion and red pepper then add to your sausage and brown the mixture until your sausage is well done and your veggies have cooked thru.  Drain and place this in your Dutch oven.
While your sausage and veggies are cooking, Patty recommends using a potato masher or a fork to cut up the texture of the pie filling so you don't have big slices in your beans.  She mashed hers into small tender bites.
Add your baked beans to the sausage mix in your Dutch oven then add your bar-b-que sauce, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple pie filling (all contents of the can) and your red pepper flakes.
Mix the ingredients well and place them on your smoker at 275* for two hours.  If you don't have a smoker grill, you can use your gas grill or your oven - still 275* for two hours.
This makes one big pot of baked beans!  The sausage, red pepper and apples make for such a unique taste that your guests will rave about this! That happened at Patty's house over the weekend.
Patty served it up at the house and her niece ate it twice in one day.  And, Patty's niece, like yours truly, does not even like baked beans.
Patty credits her cousin way back in Tennessee for this recipe!  That's Patty on the left and her cousin Becky on the right.
Patty Millay
Patty Millay
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Good One Becky!
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