Cheesy Mexican Bean Bake
Indulge in this delightful Cheesy Mexican Bean Bake, a savory blend of refried beans, zesty salsa, and spicy green chilies, all melted together with ooey-gooey cheese. This dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a casual lunch or a snack with friends. While it may not win any beauty contests, its flavors will have everyone coming back for seconds! Customize it to your liking with added veggies, guacamole, or sour cream to elevate it to a nacho dip experience. Leftovers? Wrap them up in a soft tortilla for a delicious treat!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
4
Ingredients
Ingredients
fat-free refried beans
16 ounces (canned)
salsa
1 cup (medium)
green chilies
4 ounces (canned, diced)
shredded cheese
1 cup (Mexican or taco blend)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Spray a pie plate with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the refried beans, salsa, green chilies, and shredded cheese. Mix until well incorporated.
4
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pie plate, spreading it evenly.
5
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the center is hot and bubbly.
6
For an extra cheesy touch, add more shredded cheese on top and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until melted.
7
Serve immediately, and feel free to top with your favorite toppings like diced tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, guacamole, and sour cream.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheesy Mexican Bean Bake?
It is a savory comfort food dish made from a blend of refried beans, salsa, and green chilies, topped with melted cheese.
What are the main ingredients required?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of fat-free refried beans, 1 cup of salsa, 4 ounces of diced green chilies, and 1 cup of shredded Mexican or taco blend cheese.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the bean bake take to cook?
It takes about 15 minutes to bake until the center is hot and bubbly, plus an optional 5 minutes if adding extra cheese on top.
Can I use this recipe as a dip?
Yes, it works perfectly as a dip for chips and can be elevated with toppings like guacamole and sour cream.
What kind of salsa is recommended?
The recipe suggests using a medium salsa, but you can use mild or hot depending on your preference.
Is this recipe easy to prepare?
Yes, it is considered an easy recipe with only 4 main ingredients and simple mixing and baking steps.
How do I prevent the bake from sticking to the dish?
You should spray your pie plate with cooking spray before transferring the mixture into it.
What can I do with leftovers?
Leftovers can be wrapped in a soft tortilla for a delicious treat or snack later.
Can I add extra cheese to this recipe?
Yes, for an extra cheesy touch, you can add more shredded cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
What type of cheese blend is best?
A Mexican or taco blend of shredded cheese is recommended for the best flavor profile.
What are some suggested toppings?
Recommended toppings include diced tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, guacamole, and sour cream.
Is this dish suitable for lunch?
Yes, it is an ideal casual lunch or a snack to share with friends.
Do I need to cook the beans beforehand?
No, you use canned fat-free refried beans which are mixed directly with other ingredients and then baked.
Can I add vegetables to this bake?
Yes, the recipe is customizable, and you can add extra veggies to suit your taste.
What kind of baking dish should I use?
A pie plate is the recommended vessel for baking this dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 4 main ingredients: refried beans, salsa, green chilies, and shredded cheese.
Are the green chilies supposed to be diced?
Yes, the recipe calls for 4 ounces of canned, diced green chilies.
Can I use regular refried beans instead of fat-free?
Yes, while the recipe specifies fat-free, regular refried beans will work just as well.
Should the dish be served hot?
Yes, it is best served immediately while the cheese is still melted and the center is bubbly.
Can I make this more like a nacho dip?
Yes, by adding guacamole and sour cream, you can easily transform it into a nacho dip experience.
What is the texture of the dish?
It is a thick, creamy, and ooey-gooey baked bean mixture.
Can I prepare the mixture in advance?
Yes, you can mix the ingredients together and store them in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
Is this a spicy dish?
It has a mild kick from the green chilies and medium salsa, but you can adjust the heat level with your choice of ingredients.
How do I know when it is done baking?
It is ready when the center is hot and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Can I use fresh chilies?
Yes, but you may need to sauté them first to ensure they are soft before mixing them in.
What is the prep time for this recipe?
Prep time is very short, as it only involves mixing the four ingredients together before baking.
Is this a vegetarian recipe?
Yes, provided the refried beans and cheese you use are vegetarian-friendly.
Can I add meat to this bake?
Yes, you could mix in cooked ground beef or shredded chicken if you want to add more protein.
How much salsa is used?
The recipe calls for exactly 1 cup of salsa.