Bacon Green Beans {for a crowd}

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans are one of the most popular recipes on my blog. Why? Because bacon makes everything better.  Just a fact, Jack.  I wanted to recreate the flavor of the bacon wrapped green beans, but without all the... wrapping of the bacon around the green beans. Uhmmm, maybe I'm a wee bit lazy? Seriously, I wanted to have green beans that would feed a bunch of folks, would be easy to travel with,  and easy to heat up once I got there.  Oh! And quick and easy to make.  Very important little detail there.

Okay, so they won't be winning any awards for being the prettiest dish around, but when you have bacon and brown sugar together...you really can't go wrong.

Convenience.

Bacon Green Beans 

1 large can cut green beans, drained

1 15 oz can green beans, drained

1 large can whole potatoes, drained

1 package real bacon bits (I used the 'no nitrates or nitrites added')

2/3 cup unpacked dark brown sugar (can use light as well)

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
• Place drained green beans & potatoes in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Sprinkle package of bacon bits over green beans/potatoes.
• Combine the brown sugar, melted butter, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Pour over the green beans, potatoes and bacon. 
• Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, depending on how "done" you like your beans. (I don't like mine to get all limp and wrinkled, so I only did about 30 minutes.)
• Stir and serve!

Verdict?  Bacon is the bomb.  These are tasty, yet simple to throw together, and a 9x13 pan full of green beans feeds quite a few people!  If you want to cut down on the sodium, you can rinse your canned veggies before using. (or buy unsalted....if you find them palatable. I don't.)  Or you can go all out and use fresh green beans (a.k.a. snap beans if you're from around here - just adjust your cook time accordingly). You can also use low sodium soy sauce and unsalted butter.  There is a lot of bacon in these, so that could be scaled back, as well as the sugar, without a noticeable difference I think.  

I'm linking up over at Naptime Creations, Mandy's Recipe Box, It's a Blog Party, Weiner Tales, 33 Shades of Green, Blessed with Grace, ZentMrs. & The Mr., Eat at Home (Ingredient Spotlight: Bacon), Life as Mom, Gooseberry Patch Blog