Cheesy Bean Burrito Bake
Indulge in this delicious Cheesy Bean Burrito Bake, a warm and comforting dish perfect for lunch or a snack. Layers of seasoned beans, melted cheese, and soft tortillas come together in this easy-to-prepare casserole. Infused with zesty spices and optional jalapeños for a kick, this delightful recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it with fresh guacamole and salsa for the ultimate meal experience. Ideal for sharing, this casserole serves six generous portions.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 (chopped fine)
garlic
4 cloves (minced)
olive oil
3 tablespoons
pinto beans
2 cans (1 lb each) (rinsed and drained)
tomato sauce
1 cup
ground cumin
2 teaspoons
jalapeno chiles
4 (fresh or pickled, seeded and chopped (optional))
fresh coriander
1/4 cup (chopped (optional))
flour tortillas
12 (warmed (7- to 8-inch))
Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated (about 6 ounces))
guacamole
to taste (as accompaniments)
salsa
to taste (as accompaniments)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over moderately low heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent.
3
Stir in the rinsed and drained pinto beans, and using the back of a wooden spoon, mash about half of the beans coarsely to create a creamy yet chunky mixture.
4
Mix in the tomato sauce, ground cumin, chopped jalapeños (if using), and salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer the bean mixture for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat, and if desired, stir in the chopped fresh coriander.
5
Warm the flour tortillas and keep them covered. Take one tortilla at a time, spreading about 3 tablespoons of the bean filling down the center. Roll the tortilla tightly, leaving the ends open, and place seam-side down in a baking dish.
6
Once all tortillas are rolled and placed in the dish, sprinkle the grated Monterey Jack cheese generously over the burritos.
7
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.
8
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to slightly brown the cheese.
9
Serve hot with your favorite guacamole and salsa.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheesy Bean Burrito Bake?
It is a warm and comforting dish featuring layers of seasoned beans, melted cheese, and soft tortillas served as a casserole.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe serves six generous portions.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C.
What type of beans are used in this burrito bake?
The recipe calls for two 1 lb cans of pinto beans.
How should I prepare the pinto beans?
The pinto beans should be rinsed and drained before use.
How do I create the bean mixture texture?
Mash about half of the beans coarsely with the back of a wooden spoon to create a creamy yet chunky consistency.
What size tortillas are recommended?
Use 12 flour tortillas that are 7 to 8 inches in size.
How much filling should I put in each tortilla?
Spread about 3 tablespoons of the bean filling down the center of each tortilla.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe uses 1.5 cups of grated Monterey Jack cheese.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake covered for 10 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables first?
Yes, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil until the onion is soft.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 4 minced garlic cloves.
Is this recipe spicy?
It can be if you choose to add the 4 optional seeded and chopped jalapeño chiles.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The beans are seasoned with 2 teaspoons of ground cumin, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
Can I use fresh coriander?
Yes, you can stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh coriander after removing the bean mixture from heat.
What should I serve with the burritos?
Serve the bake hot with fresh guacamole and salsa as accompaniments.
How do I arrange the burritos in the baking dish?
Roll the tortillas tightly and place them seam-side down in the baking dish.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Is tomato sauce included in the filling?
Yes, 1 cup of tomato sauce is mixed into the bean filling.
How long should the bean mixture simmer?
Simmer the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Can I use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use either fresh or pickled jalapeño chiles.
Should I cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with foil for the first 10 minutes of baking to melt the cheese.
Why do I bake it uncovered for the last 5 minutes?
Removing the foil for the final 5 minutes allows the cheese to brown slightly.
Should the tortillas be warmed?
Yes, warm the flour tortillas before filling and keep them covered.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The onion should be chopped fine.
How much cheese is that in weight?
1.5 cups of grated Monterey Jack cheese is approximately 6 ounces.
Is this recipe suitable for a snack?
Yes, it is described as being perfect for lunch or a snack.
Can I leave the ends of the tortillas open?
Yes, the instructions specify rolling them tightly while leaving the ends open.
What kind of oil is used?
The recipe calls specifically for olive oil.
Is the coriander mandatory?
No, the fresh coriander is an optional ingredient for this recipe.