Refried beans are creamy beans that have been mashed and fried to perfection. Tender refried beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine, and whether you use canned or homemade beans, you won’t be disappointed by them. Here are some of the best recipes with refried beans –– all made with just a handful of simple ingredients!

 

Canned refried beans are a lifesaver. They’re easy to heat, mix, and incorporate into recipes, plus it’s so simple to enhance them with additional seasonings. Refried beans typically have a savory flavor, but you can make them spicier or sweeter if you prefer.

Beans are a great addition to any meal, not only because of their fantastic taste and texture but also because of how they’re packed with so many nutrients.

This list of recipes with refried beans includes plenty of dips, casseroles, and taco or burrito ideas. You’ll also find some copycat recipes for fan-favorite Taco Bell items! There’s no need to head to the drive-thru when you can recreate the best items at home.

It’s always a great idea to keep a can of refried beans in your pantry. With any one of these recipes, you’ll be putting it to good use!

1. Taco Bell Bean Burrito

Making your own Taco Bell bean burritos at home is easy –– it only takes a few minutes and a handful of simple ingredients. The original recipe from the restaurant only uses beans, onions, cheese, red sauce, and tortillas, but you can easily personalize this copycat recipe with additional toppings.

Try adding rice, veggies, sour cream, or guacamole to make your burrito exactly how you like it. You can even turn this meatless burrito into a protein-packed meal by adding chicken or ground beef!

2. Mexican Lasagna

This twist on traditional Italian lasagna features delicious layers of corn tortillas, ground beef, taco sauce, refried beans, and cheese. Ready in just 40 minutes, this lasagna is easy to assemble and makes a great dinner for the whole family.

One of the best things about this dish is that it freezes incredibly well and can be prepared in advance. You can freeze it either before or after baking, and once cooked, the leftovers will surely taste incredible!

3. Crispy Refried Bean Tacos

Crispy refried bean tacos are simple but so satisfying. This recipe starts with canned beans but adds green chiles, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and salt to enhance the flavor. 

Once you’ve assembled and browned your tacos, load them up with all of your favorite toppings! Salsa, hot sauce, cheese, lettuce, and guacamole are just a few ideas for what you can add. Or, you can serve these with homemade avocado salsa and chipotle mayo –– which you can find instructions for in the recipe notes.

4. Bean Dip Recipe

Creamy refried bean dip is sure to be a hit for parties or game days. Made with a handful of tasty budget-friendly ingredients, this delicious dip gets its rich taste and texture from the combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Similar to what you might find at your favorite Mexican restaurant.

5. Taco Bell Beefy Melt Burrito

Stuffed with beef, rice, beans, and Fritos, this copycat Taco Bell beefy melt burrito is just as good as the restaurant version. We love that this recipe is packed with flavor and texture — cheesy and crunchy in every bite.

6. 7 Layer Dip

Here’s one of the best recipes with refried beans that you can serve at a party. This dip features 7 layers of absolute goodness. Dig into this dip to get a taste of salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, and olives. 

The layer of refried beans at the bottom is actually made by combining beans with cream cheese and taco seasoning. These additions make the dip extra creamy and flavorful. Want to make this recipe with more or fewer layers? No problem –– it’s so easy to personalize to your own liking.

7. Mexican Pizza

You can recreate Taco Bell’s famous Mexican pizza at home in just 30 minutes! This tasty Mexican pizza recipe is made with tortillas, seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, cheese, and diced tomatoes. 

While these are the toppings used in the Taco Bell version, you can certainly personalize your pizza with any of your other favorites. Adding green onion or cilantro will add a splash of color and a refreshing taste.

8. Oven Baked Taquitos

One of our all-time favorite recipes with refried beans is taquitos. Made with simple ingredients like beans, beef, and corn tortillas, taquitos are quick and easy to make. They also make a great meal to freeze and reheat later.

Every bite is perfectly crunchy and flavorful. While taquitos taste delicious on their own, they’ll taste even better served with a variety of dips including salsa, guacamole, queso fresco, or hot sauce.

9. Nachos

A hearty serving of nachos is sure to be satisfying and delicious. The best thing about nachos is that there are endless ways to personalize them with any toppings that you love. Plus, they make a balanced meal with a mix of carbs, protein, fat, and veggies.

Store bought tortilla chips will work just fine as the base of this recipe, but you can also make some homemade chips by frying corn tortilla wedges. For best results, assemble your chips in a single layer so that every chip has a little bit of everything on top — the perfect bite!

10. Refried Bean Quesadillas

If you haven’t tried bean quesadillas yet, you’re in for a treat. These creamy quesadillas made with salsa, cheese, and a can of refried beans are so satisfying. Every bite has a slight crunch in it, thanks to the addition of tortilla chips.

Once you’ve loaded the tortilla up, fry both sides until they’ve turned a beautiful golden brown. Serve your quesadillas with more salsa, or with a side of guacamole. You can serve them right away or toast them for a few minutes for another layer of crunch.

11. Tostadas

Ten minutes and a few simple ingredients are all that you need to make these tasty tostadas! Start by brushing corn tortillas with oil, then bake until golden brown. Spread a layer of refried beans on first, then follow with your other favorite toppings such as lettuce, meat, or cheese.

Be sure that you don’t overload any of the tostadas or they might break. The good news: there’s no such thing as having too many tostadas, so you can enjoy as many as needed to get your fix of any toppings you’re craving!

12. Enchilada Casserole

This recipe takes everything you love about classic enchiladas and turns it into a simple casserole. With layers of corn tortillas, meat, beans, and cheese, this casserole is assembled similarly to a lasagna. Garnish with green onions to finish it off and add a splash of color to the meal.

Not only is this recipe easy to assemble and serve, but it’s also super easy to double the batch if you’re serving a larger crowd. This is one of the best recipes with refried beans to prepare in advance since you can freeze it for up to six months.

13. Huevos Rancheros

It’s sure to be a great day when you start it off with a hearty meal like huevos rancheros! This recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients: tostadas, eggs, and beans.

Topped with cheese and baked to perfection, this dish is melty, warm, and packed with so much flavor. Sour cream, cilantro, lime, and jalapeños would all be great additional toppings for your meal.

14. Tortilla Soup

Chicken tortilla soup is a hearty comfort food that will warm you right up. Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy soup recipe can be served fresh but will also freeze well if you want to prepare it in advance to enjoy later.

The secret ingredient that makes this soup so thick and creamy is a can of refried beans. Not only does this addition of beans help perfect the texture, but it also enhances the flavor, adding something extra to every bite. Since the beans get mixed in, not even picky eaters will able to spot them.

15. Denver’s Famous Mexican Burger

Made famous in the city of Denver, Mexican burgers are a creative spin on the classic hamburger recipe. This recipe takes a juicy burger patty and serves it up on a flour tortilla with refried beans. The tortilla is the replacement for a bun! What makes this recipe complete is the spicy green chile that adds another layer of flavor.

16. Taco Salad Casserole

This delicious version of taco salad begins with a creamy casserole that’s baked in the oven until hot and bubbly. Seasoned beef and tender refried beans give this recipe a satisfying savory flavor.

Scoop a heaping portion of the casserole onto a bed of lettuce, finish it off with your favorite toppings, and enjoy! Some of the best toppings to add to your taco salad include diced tomatoes, jalapeños, salsa, and sour cream.

17. Refried Beans And Rice

Simple and delicious, this delightful bean and rice skillet is one of the easiest recipes with refried beans. This rice and bean recipe features diced tomatoes, canned corn, and bits of savory sausage.

One of the best things about this meal is that it’s made in a single skillet, keeping the cooking process simple and the clean-up minimal. It also only takes half an hour to prepare, making it a perfect side dish for family dinners during busy weeks.

18. Breakfast Tacos

Start your day off right with the best breakfast tacos ever! It takes less than 15 minutes total to prepare these easy but tasty breakfast tacos. Made with minimal ingredients, these tacos are simple but satisfying.

Enjoy soft corn tortillas with scrambled eggs, refried beans, and all of your favorite toppings. These tacos are incredibly easy to personalize! Avocados, cotija cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, and jalapeños are just a few of the many toppings to choose from.

19. Burrito Roll-Ups

These roll-ups make the perfect snack or appetizer. Tortillas are filled with refried beans, cheese, and green chilies to make a super simple, flavorful bite.

20. Salsa Chicken

Looking for a way to spice up your chicken dinner? Salsa chicken is loaded with Tex-Mex flavor. This dish includes layers of refried beans, cream cheese, chicken, salsa, and cheese. Your family will be excited to see this on the dinner table.

21. Enchilada Rice

One of our favorite recipes with refried beans, enchilada rice has it all. Great flavor, texture, and just one of those recipes you will want to make over and over.

22. Refried Bean Enchiladas

Simple enchilada recipe great for bean lovers. This is a quick meal that can be put together in minutes. A great way to use leftover refried beans.

23. Bacon Ranch Bean Dip

A perfect combination of BLT dip and bean dip, this dip recipe is bursting with texture and flavor. Creamy beans are mixed with ranch seasonings and topped with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Next time you have a can of refried beans this is a must try. So good!

Canned refried beans FAQ’s

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