30 Delicious Meals to Make with Beans!
When it comes to convenience and versatility in the kitchen, few ingredients can hold a candle to canned beans. They not only offer nutritional benefits but also have the ability to transform a wide range of dishes into culinary masterpieces. Whether you are a novice cook or seasoned chef, exploring the potential of canned beans can open up a world of delicious possibilities.
Nutritional Benefits of Beans
Canned beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They provide a wholesome foundation for your meals, supporting your health and well-being. Incorporating them into your diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve digestive health, and even contribute to weight management.
Convenience of Making Meals with Beans
One of the most significant advantages of canned beans is their convenience. With no soaking or long cooking times required, you can have a protein-packed meal ready in minutes. This convince is a game-changer, especially for busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
You can, of course, use canned beans or prepared dry beans for any of these recipes! I sometimes grab a bag of beans and cook them up to have on hand through the week. I store them in the fridge in glass jars. They are much cheaper that way. They freeze well, too.
Note: one regular sized can of beans usually equals to about 1 ½ to 2 cups of cooked beans.
Meals to Make with Beans
From salads to soups to dips and stews, beans can effortlessly adapt to many dishes. Let’s explore some creative recipes that I have collected that all use beans!
Delicious Meals to Make with Beans
Try one of these delicious meals that include beans in the recipe! Beans are packed with fiber and nutrients and are a great source of protein, too!
Make it a vegetarian burrito bowl night with this customizable meal!
Easy Grilled Bean Flautas are a delicious appetizer or main meal that could NOT be simpler!
This delicious cornbread casserole is a hot, delicious meal the whole family will love!
Spicy casserole is an easy weeknight dish that's easy to throw together and very satisfying.
Instant pot refried beans - no soak pressure cooker pinto beans, ready in about an hour!
Cajun Sausage and Rice is easily made in one skillet in 30 minutes or less. It's simple to make and the leftovers are even better!
A convenient and filling family dinner with lots of good fruits and veggies.
Packed full of vegetables, boneless chicken breasts, spices, and a creamy sauce, this healthy dish is sure to make your taste buds happy.
Molletes consist of bolillo bread rolls that have been sliced open, toasted and topped with refried beans, cheese and pico de gallo.
Ready in 30 minutes or less, my creamy tortellini spinach soup is going to be your new favourite cozy meal-prep.
This delicious hamburger bean casserole is a favorite at potlucks and holidays. Full of wonderful smoky flavors. It vanishes FAST at a party. Main dish or side!
This skillet meal is a great twist on taco flavors!
These homemade Greek giant beans are a quick and easy stovetop twist on the classic dish called 'gigantes plaki' in Greece.
This Stovetop Red Beans & Rice is perfect for any night of the week. Smoked sausage, onions, bell pepper, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and rice will undoubtedly please anyone!
Try this recipe at the campfire or for an afternoon snack! The nachos are actually very thin potato slices, so it's a great way to use up extra potatoes!
Easy, filling, and inexpensive, these veggie Lentil Sloppy Joes make a quick meal that keeps you full for hours and reheats well for lunch the next day.
Pasta e fagioli, or pasta and beans, is a quick and easy, inexpensive, nutritious and delicious meal that the entire family will enjoy. Children especially love it. Don’t let its simplicity fool you; this is an authentic Italian recipe for pasta and beans.
This Skillet Chicken with Beans and Greens is an elegant French-inspired and extremely flavorful meal that is made easy in just one pot. The chicken, beans, and kale are braised in a wine mustard sauce that gives you lots to enjoy over mashed potatoes, polenta, or for dipping in a rustic country bread.
This slow cooker 15 bean soup is an easy way to enjoy a healthy and hearty meal.
This Green Bean Artichoke Casserole Recipe is perfect for any meal. The combination of crunchy fried onions, creamy soup, and savory seasonings create a flavorful dish.
Homemade Vegan Burgers for the Healthy Dinner win! Crave worthy white bean veggie burgers with arugula aioli are easy to make, super tasty and enormously satisfying.
Using pantry staples like rice, beans and sweet corn, this vegetarian Instant Pot burrito bowl is filled with nutritious ingredients and classic Tex-Mex flavors.
Fresh spring fava beans plus the nutty herby flavors in basil pesto are so amazing together in this recipe. All of this comes together in just 30 minutes with only 4 ingredients.
Frijoles Puercos is an EASY appetizer that’s ready in minutes. The CHEESE is irresistible.
Enfrijoladas are made of corn tortillas dipped in a flavorful bean sauce. Stuff them with cheese, and you have an easy and delicious Mexican vegetarian meal.
This traditional fasolada recipe (Greek White Bean Soup) is a healthy, simple and comforting dish. Easy to make and highly nourishing, it’s no surprise that this is one of Greece’s top national dishes.
When you’re in the mood for hearty, comfort food like Chorizo Chili, look no further than this easy recipe. It’s loaded with spicy chorizo sausage, smoky roasted poblano peppers (or Anaheim peppers), tender pinto beans and sweet corn.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili – This meatless chili still has tons of bite from the chunks of sweet potatoes and the “meaty” pinto and black beans.
danielle
Friday 8th of February 2013
Great roundup! thanks for linking up to Friday Food Frenzy!
maria @ close to home
Friday 8th of February 2013
yum I love black beans. Thanks for including our recipes. Have a recipe hop that went live this am if you want to share this post.
Leslie
Thursday 7th of February 2013
This is my favorite way to make beans! http://www.heart4home.net/2012/10/making-easy-pinto-beans/
Cheryl
Thursday 7th of February 2013
Yum! These all look delicious! Now I'm craving soft tacos. Thanks for linking up to my recipe!
Gena
Thursday 7th of February 2013
Thank YOU!