Healthy Spicy Barbecue Baked Beans and Spinach

Smoky, hearty, and packed with plant-based goodness, this Healthy Spicy Barbecue Baked Beans and Spinach recipe is a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food. Loaded with tender navy beans simmered in a tangy, low-sugar barbecue sauce and spiced with chili powder, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne, this dish offers a perfect balance of smoky heat and savory sweetness. Freshly sautéed spinach adds a vibrant, nutrient-packed touch, while the caramelized edges from baking bring irresistible depth of flavor. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-skillet dish is ideal as a crowd-pleasing side or a light yet satisfying main course. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a wholesome and flavorful addition to your weekly menu. Perfect for fans of healthy comfort food, this recipe delivers bold flavors without compromising on nutrition.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups Canned navy beans (or white beans), drained and rinsed
• 1 cup Tomato sauce
• 1 cup Barbecue sauce (low-sugar or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
• 4 cups Fresh spinach, cleaned and roughly chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the drained and rinsed navy beans to the skillet and stir to combine.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).

Step 7

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring well to evenly coat the beans.

Step 8

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 9

Allow the mixture to gently simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 10

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the edges start to caramelize.

Step 11

While the beans are baking, heat a separate large skillet over medium heat and add a small drizzle of olive oil.

Step 12

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until just wilted.

Step 13

Remove the baked beans from the oven and gently fold in the sautéed spinach, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

Step 14

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Step 15

Serve warm as a side dish or a light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1361.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	991.5

Total Fat 35.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3820.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 143.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.8g	0%
Total Sugars 36.2g
Protein 37.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 534.2mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 3093.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.5%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 55.2%