Low Fat Refried Beans with Cheese
Transform your side dish game with this quick and flavorful recipe for Low Fat Refried Beans with Cheese! Featuring creamy, protein-packed pinto beans, sautéed onion, garlic, and a hint of warm cumin, this dish delivers bold, authentic Mexican flavors with a healthier twist. Simmered in a light broth and topped with melted low-fat Mexican blend cheese, these refried beans are irresistibly rich without the extra calories. Perfect as a wholesome side, taco filling, or burrito base, this versatile recipe is ready in just 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty finish and serve up a delicious, satisfying dish everyone will love.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup low-fat Mexican blend cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and ground cumin, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans to the skillet.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the beans are tender.
Mash the beans in the skillet using a potato masher or the back of a spatula until they reach your desired consistency.
Season the mashed beans with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the beans with the shredded low-fat Mexican blend cheese.
Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt for about 3-4 minutes.
Stir the melted cheese into the beans until well combined.
Transfer the refried beans to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if using.
Serve immediately as a side dish or as a filling for tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-inspired dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
684 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.7 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.6 g | 33% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 2707 mg | 118% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 81.7 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.2 g | 86% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.9 g | ||
| Protein | 40.7 g | 81% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 611 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 7.9 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 1386 mg | 29% | |
*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.
