Cheesy, Spicy Black Bean Bake Recipe (2024)

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faisane

Even quicker (and more energy-efficient) to make on the stovetop - add the cheese, cover the skillet, and the cheese will melt. For browning run it briefly under the broiler.

Jeff

Delicious. Easy. Great dip for a football game party, and Easy to double in quantity if needed. I would add sautéing a diced onion at the beginning next time.

RAMJ

We enjoy beans as a diet staple. This can be a main dish served with tortilla chips or used as a side with tacos, burritos or enchiladas Try adding a can of spicy enchilada sauce in addition to the tomato paste in this recipe. Try blending whole beans with refried beans. I like adding onion and also a little minced garlic, perhaps some sauteed jalapeno or serrano peppers. Never wrong to sprinkle in a liberal dose of freshly cracked peppercorns. I will pour a few squirts of habanero sauce on top.

Adrienne

I really liked this and so did my kids (they are the true arbiters of whether something will be made a second time), though I thought the cheddar was a little too sharp - I'll probably make it with a mix of cheddar & jack next time. I left out the red pepper flakes (because kids) but adults added hot sauce at the table, and served with rice, avocado, lime-cabbage-carrot slaw, and sour cream, and tortilla chips to scoop it all up. I used 4 cups of beans I had previously cooked from dry.

John R.

Wow wow ...great easy dish. A keeper. Black beans are one of my favs and loads of flavor. I appreciate everyone’s input. Did follow the recipe with the exception of including onions. Had thoughts about when to add the onions...started the process of browning the garlic and then threw in the onions, and realized immediately that it was wrong. It needs the unadulterated browned smoky garlic taste. i started over, added diced onions with the beans.Used Manchego. EXCELLENT EASY. 5 stars !

rachel

I made this with dried beans (so good, cheap and easy in a pressure cooker), but it was a little too runny with added water. Might omit or add a quarter cup next time. Served over tortilla chips (like Frito pie!) and topped with cilantro, scallions, radishes, jarred jalapeño, and sour cream.

Jenna

This was excellent as is- and with tweaks! I added one chopped chipotle pepper, 1 tsp adobo sauce, and cream cheese to the bean mixture before popping in the oven. Two people finished this in one sitting AND asked for more right after, which I see as a mark of a fantastic recipe!

The Clean Plate Club

@Jennifer - Google is very happy to help you with your conversion from imperial to metric. You’re welcome.

Parentof4

Thought this was great; very easy and quick. Had no tomato paste so substituted TJ's Harisa, which was a great addition. I might add a third can of beans next time.

Jessie

Delicious. Served as an easy dinner with wheat berries and a salad (thumbs up from kids 8 and 10). Will mix the cheese in next time to avoid the top coming off.

nancy harmon jenkins

For those of us who don't care to use canned beans, it would be good to know the quantity of unsoaked dried beans to start with. I'm guessing one cup--but I'm just guessing.

Sumati

My sweetie doesn't care for beans all that much so I made this while he's away. Half the recipe fits nicely in an 8 inch cast iron skillet. I found a hunk of cornbread in the freezer, heated that up, split and buttered it. Went together well. Leftovers will make a nice breakfast with an egg, as someone already suggested.

Debbie Crane

Excellent dish. I followed the recipe precisely. I always think you should do that first thing out before you try to tweak the recipe. I'm not sure I will tweak this one, because it is pretty darned perfect as is. I did use Manchego, which really married nicely with the other flavors. I served this over a baked potato. It made four really good sized portions.

Sandy

Please try this recipe again! It's terrific! Just maybe needs a bit of changing for you. So: Reduce the heat. It may take a bit longer for the garlic to caramelize but the splatter will be less. You could also sub peanut oil for olive oil, which is a notorious splatterer, or corn oil. Both peanut and corn oils will splatter, but are less likely to do so than olive oil. Again, reduce heat to avoid mess.

Joanie

Quick and easy vegetarian dinner! As others have suggested, I sautéed onion along with the garlic. I also squirted a little harissa in along with the tomato paste. I served it with a green salad and tortilla chips. Yum!

Pam from NJ

Made on the stove top, finished in broiler. Needed a bit more water. Nice, flavorful and different way to make black beans. Served with tortilla chips.

rachellorenb

I used smoked paprika, subbed in nutritional yeast for 1/3 of the cheese ( l was running low), topped with a sliced bird’s eye chile, and ate on a crunchy piece of toast. I can’t remember the last time something I made tasted so sublime. 😍

Ann O’Neill

Made a half recipe (I’m cooking for one) and full disclosure I was out of cumin and added corn. I only had frozen but can’t wait to try with fresh seasonal sweet corn. Delicious and would benefit from more cheddar. Served in warmed flour tortillas with seasoned ground beef and typical toppings (tomato, salsa, avo, sour cream, etc.) but would be fine on its own or with rice. I’m saying it’s delicious and versatile.

Nancy

Ok. I wasn’t thrilled with it and probably will not do again. Dry.

barb

Excellent. Serve with tortillas, salsa or guacamole and cilantro

JennMTgirl

My daughter isn't crazy about white beans, so I had modified that recipe so it's very similar to this. Hubby has a physically demanding job, so for something a little heartier, I sometimes make meatballs with 1 lb chorizo, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and an egg. Bake them for about 10 minutes at 350, then add to the top of the beans and sprinkle the cheese over that before baking. We scoop the whole mess into tortillas and top with avocado slices. It's part of the regular rotation now--so good!

RM406

Used 1/2 paprika and 1/2 chili powder. Added 1/8 tsp of cayenne. Put chopped onions after garlic. Added shredded chicken.

Harriet

Followed recipe closely but used up some cherry and heirloom tomatoes by blistering them in cast-iron pan and cooking down into a paste before adding garlic. Skipped the water as tomatoes were looser than prepared paste and used half whole and half refried black beans. Made it mostly on stove then ran under broiler to brown cheese. Really flavorful and easy.

Emily

This is a perfect recipe! No notes!

Jennifer

The fried garlic didn't float my boat, but otherwise this was great - we scooped it up with chips for a quick & easy dinner. Next time will add onions and cook the garlic just until softened, without browning, and maybe play with some toppings (guacamole, crema, maybe lime juice?). A great starting point for exploration!

Castle Cook

This is a staple in my kitchen - I whip it up as a super easy side with enchiladas or tacos. I didn't have the cheese one time, so I added a chunk of cream cheese to the mixture and stirred it in. It is my preferred way to make this now.

CathyD

I substituted a 1/2 tsp of ground Chipotle for the smoked paprika, worked great.

Bellaverdi

Prepared as written with the exception of 1/2c finely chopped onion at garlic stage. Served with brown rice. This is a go-too easy, yummy meal. Beautiful balance of savory flavors.

Andrea CK

Yum! I was drawn to the simplicity. The flavors are balanced and satisfying. I did boil up my own black beans, added less water and included a red onion at the garlic stage, as some other people wrote.

Stacey

So delicious! My 7 yo is sensitive to spice so we only used 1 t cuman and 1/2 t chipotle pepper for spices. Served over yellow rice.

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Cheesy, Spicy Black Bean Bake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do black beans double when cooked? ›

Note: Make sure you use a pot large enough, since beans expand to double or triple their size when soaked and cooked. 1 CUP DRY BEANS MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS COOKED BEANS.

How long do black beans take to cook reddit? ›

Cook until your beans are tender, about 1 ½-2 hours depending on how old they are. Stir the beans occasionally throughout cooking to prevent sticking. Note: if your beans are looking dry at any point, add in more water (hot, not cold water).

What can I add to canned beans to make them taste better? ›

I like to sprinkle in some taco seasoning, but you could add whatever spices you like — garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder are all good calls. Then, you mash the beans up directly in the pan and add just a little bit of vinegar at the end to really make the beans sing.

What spices to put in beans? ›

Don't forget spices and herbs

I like smoked paprika to add a bit of the campfire flavor, since I keep my beans vegetarian most of the time. I also like adding a little bit of red chile flake or a whole dried chile, sometimes some cumin, and maybe a little bit of Mexican oregano.

What happens if you don't soak black beans before cooking? ›

Short answer: They take longer to cook. Long answer: Many people claim that soaking beans is not necessary. The argument for this method is while it does take longer to cook, unsoaked beans end up having better flavor.

Why do you put baking soda in black beans? ›

Baking soda creates an alkaline environment which reduces soaking and cooking time and preserves the beans' skin. As a result, the old bean's color comes to life, keeping them vibrant instead of dull. Compared to the grainy texture offered by old beans, baking soda beans can yield a creamy and smooth texture.

Should you rinse canned black beans before cooking? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

How many cups is 1 lb of beans? ›

1 pound of dried beans = 3 cups of dried beans = 6 - 7 cups of cooked beans. 1 2/3 – 2 cups of cooked beans = 1 can of canned (14 - 16 oz.) beans.

Why do my beans fall apart when I cook them? ›

Vigorous boiling or inadequate water will make them bump into each other, which will rip their skins and cause them to fall apart. The bigger the bean, the longer the cooking time — lentils and split peas can cook in as little as 20 minutes, while chickpeas may need 2 hours or even more.

Can black beans be overcooked? ›

Or, if you accidentally cook them a few minutes too long, the beans become mushy and bland. You'll also love stovetop black beans for their condensed, stewy cooking liquid. It's delicious! You'll never achieve the same nice cooking liquid with Instant Pot beans because the water can't evaporate during cooking.

How to tell when black beans are done? ›

If the water level drops below the beans, add more water so the beans are covered at all times. The beans are done cooking when they're all tender; you can test this as they by smooshing a bean or two against the side of the pot with a fork — it should collapse easily, but not be mushy.

Are canned black beans healthy? ›

Canned black beans are a versatile, ready-to-use ingredient that you can use to boost the nutrient content of many dishes. They're a rich source of plant-based protein and fiber. This makes them a weight-loss-friendly food that may also help you manage blood sugar levels and lower your risk of heart disease.

Do black beans in a can need to be cooked? ›

Unlike dried beans, which require soaking and simmering time before they're ready, canned black beans are fully cooked and ready to eat. Canned black beans are typically packed in water with the preservative calcium chloride, as well as sugar, salt, and often other ingredients, such as onion, for flavor.

How do you make canned black beans more digestible? ›

Pressure cooking beans is one of the easiest ways to make them more digestible. The high pressure breaks down sugars and starches, again serving as a form of 'pre-digestion'.

Should I heat up canned black beans? ›

Technically, canned black beans are already cooked, and you can use them right out of the can. Cooking canned black beans will make them taste even better. Here's how to cook beans from a can: Heat a small-sized saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.

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