Baked beans are a dish traditionally containing white beans that are parboiled and then baked in sauce at low temperature for a lengthy period. The type of beans used for baked beans can vary, but the most common type is Navy beans, a small white variety with a mellow and creamy flavor. Great Northern or cannellini beans can also be used as a substitute for Navy beans. Canned baked beans are often made from haricot beans in sauce. When making homemade baked beans, dried beans can be used instead of canned beans. If using dried beans, they should be soaked overnight and then boiled until tender before being baked in sauce.