Cheesy Pinto Beans

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Pinto Beans recipe, a creamy, flavorful twist on a classic pantry staple. Tender pinto beans are simmered with aromatic sautéed onions, garlic, and warm spices like cumin and paprika, then elevated with a velvety blend of milk and rich shredded cheddar cheese. With just a touch of mashing, this dish achieves the perfect balance of creaminess and texture. Ready in only 30 minutes, this versatile recipe is perfect as a hearty side dish, a dip for tortilla chips, or even a filling for tacos and burritos. Topped with fresh cilantro for a burst of brightness, this one-skillet wonder is your go-to for quick, satisfying comfort food.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Servings: 4 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

12 items

• 2 15-ounce cans canned pinto beans
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional) fresh cilantro
• for serving (optional) tortilla chips

📝 Instructions

10 steps

1. Drain and rinse the canned pinto beans under cold water; set aside.

2. In a medium-sized skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

3. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.

4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Add the cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring to coat the onion and garlic in the spices.

6. Add the rinsed pinto beans to the skillet and gently mash about half the beans using a fork or potato masher to create a creamy texture while retaining some whole beans.

7. Pour in the milk and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through and slightly thickened.

8. Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beans.

9. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.

10. Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve hot with tortilla chips or as a side dish.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (331.2g)

Calories		489
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		23.5 g	30%
	Saturated Fat	13.9 g	70%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		64 mg	21%
Sodium		1220 mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate		47.7 g	17%
	Dietary Fiber	13.2 g	47%
	Total Sugars	3.6 g
Protein		25.5 g	51%
Vitamin D		0.5 mcg	2%
Calcium		435 mg	33%
Iron		4.0 mg	22%
Potassium		772 mg	16%

*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: 850 cal (42.0%%)

Protein: 410 cal (20.2%%)

Carbs: 764 cal (37.8%%)