A family friend brought this to our church gathering and it was unbelievably hearty and filling. Best of all, this classic dish only takes 4 simple ingredients.

This oven baked 4-ingredient navy bean and potato casserole is the kind of dish that quietly steals the show at a church gathering or family potluck. A dear family friend brought a version of this to our church basement one Sunday, and there wasn’t a spoonful left by the end of the meal. It’s unbelievably hearty and filling, built on pantry staples and simple flavors that remind you of old-fashioned Midwestern comfort food. With just four ingredients and a glass baking dish, you get creamy baked beans and soft roasted potatoes that feel like a hug on a plate.

This casserole is filling enough to stand on its own, but I like to serve it with a crisp green salad or simple steamed vegetables to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls or cornbread are perfect for soaking up the creamy bean sauce that collects at the bottom of the dish. For bigger appetites, you can pair it with grilled or roasted sausage, baked ham, or a simple roasted chicken. A little crunchy coleslaw on the side also adds a nice contrast to the soft, creamy potatoes and beans.

Servings: 6

3 cups cooked navy beans, drained (or two 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed)

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish so the potatoes and beans don’t stick.

Spread the cubed potatoes evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Try to keep them in a single layer so they cook through and get tender.

Scatter the cooked navy beans evenly over the potatoes, gently shaking the dish so they settle down into the gaps between the potato cubes.

In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream and kosher salt until the salt is dissolved. Taste the mixture and adjust the salt slightly if needed, remembering the flavors will mellow as everything bakes.

Pour the seasoned cream evenly over the potatoes and beans, tilting the dish slightly if needed so the cream works its way down and around the ingredients. You want most of the potatoes to be at least partially submerged so they become soft and creamy as they bake.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.

Carefully remove the foil (watch out for steam). Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top looks lightly golden in spots, the cream has thickened into a sauce around the beans and potatoes, and everything is bubbling gently around the edges.

Let the casserole rest on a cooling rack or stovetop for at least 10 minutes before serving. This rest time helps the creamy sauce thicken a bit more so you get nice, spoonable scoops of soft roasted potatoes and creamy baked beans. Taste and sprinkle with a pinch more salt at the table if desired.

For families with picky eaters, you can cut the potatoes a bit smaller so they almost melt into the beans, making the texture more uniform and less noticeable to kids who like everything “the same.” If your crew enjoys a little extra flavor, you can add freshly ground black pepper or a pinch of garlic powder to the cream and salt mixture without changing the core 4-ingredient nature of the recipe. To keep it strictly four ingredients, think of toppings and add-ins as optional: a handful of shredded cheddar on top during the last 10 minutes of baking, a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley before serving, or a few thin slices of fully cooked smoked sausage tucked into the beans and potatoes for a heartier version. For a dairy-lighter option, you can swap part of the heavy cream for unsalted vegetable or chicken broth, but keep at least half cream so the casserole still turns out rich and velvety. If using canned navy beans, always drain and rinse them under cool water to remove excess sodium and starch; this helps you control the salt level and keeps the sauce from becoming overly thick or gummy. Make sure the casserole is heated all the way through and bubbling before serving to ensure the potatoes are fully cooked and safe to eat—undercooked potatoes can be tough on the stomach. Leftovers should be cooled, covered, and refrigerated within 2 hours, then reheated thoroughly in the oven or microwave until steaming hot. Because of the dairy, avoid leaving the casserole out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, especially at potlucks or church gatherings where it’s easy to lose track of time.