Cheesy Pinto Beans

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.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 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
• 0 for serving (optional) tortilla chips

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Step 5

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

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 8

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

Step 9

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

Step 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

Serving size	(1327.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1743.8

Total Fat 93.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 52.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g
Cholesterol 258.4mg	0%
Sodium 4582.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 159.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.4g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 90.0g	0%

Vitamin D 58.2IU	0%
Calcium 1733.5mg	0%
Iron 14.5mg	0%
Potassium 3146.5mg	0%

*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: 45.7%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 34.7%