Flavorful Black Bean Burrito Bake
Indulge in a warm and satisfying Flavorful Black Bean Burrito Bake! This casserole-style dish incorporates hearty black or pinto beans mixed with zesty spices and creamy cheese, all wrapped in soft tortillas. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, this recipe is modified to be delicious and lower in fat while still offering a delightful burst of flavors. Serve it fresh out of the oven garnished with a dollop of low-fat sour cream, crispy green onions, and vibrant salsa for a complete meal that everyone will love. Whether you're hosting a family dinner or preparing meal prep for the week, this recipe is sure to please!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tablespoons (heated in a skillet)
onion
1 (chopped fine)
garlic
4 cloves (minced)
black beans or pinto beans
2 (14 ounce) cans (rinsed and drained (or mix if desired))
tomato sauce
1 cup (added to the bean mixture)
ground cumin
2 teaspoons (added to the bean mixture)
chili powder
1 dash (optional, added to the bean mixture)
chopped green chilies
1 (4 ounce) can (added to the bean mixture)
flour tortillas
12 (warmed (7-inch or 8-inch))
reduced-fat cheddar cheese or reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated and sprinkled on top)
low-fat sour cream
to taste (to garnish)
green onion
to taste (chopped for garnish)
salsa
to taste (to serve with)
Instructions
1
In a large heavy skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the rinsed beans and mash about half of them with a potato masher, creating a chunky texture.
3
Add the tomato sauce, ground cumin, chopped green chilies, and chili powder (if using). Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it's slightly thickened.
4
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Keep the flour tortillas warm, covered with a kitchen towel.
5
Take one tortilla and spread 3 tablespoons of the bean filling down the center. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll it up tightly to enclose it. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
6
Arrange the burritos seam-side down in a baking dish. Once all are in place, sprinkle with grated reduced-fat cheese.
7
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10-12 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted. Remove the foil for an additional 2 minutes to allow the cheese to slightly brown.
8
Once cooked, sprinkle with chopped green onions. Serve hot, garnishing with low-fat sour cream and salsa.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Flavorful Black Bean Burrito Bake?
It is a casserole-style dish incorporating hearty black or pinto beans, zesty spices, and creamy cheese wrapped in soft tortillas.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, the recipe is categorized as vegetarian as it uses beans as the primary protein.
What type of beans should I use?
You can use two 14-ounce cans of black beans, pinto beans, or a combination of both.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the burritos.
How many tortillas are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 12 flour tortillas, ideally 7-inch or 8-inch in size.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil to cook the onion and garlic.
How long should I cook the onion and garlic?
Sauté the onion and garlic over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened.
Should I mash the beans?
Yes, mash about half of the beans with a potato masher to create a chunky texture while keeping the rest whole.
What spices are used in the bean mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with ground cumin, chili powder (optional), salt, and black pepper.
How much tomato sauce is required?
Use 1 cup of tomato sauce in the bean filling.
Are green chilies included in the filling?
Yes, one 4-ounce can of chopped green chilies is added to the mixture.
How long does the bean mixture need to simmer?
Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes until it has slightly thickened.
How much filling goes into each tortilla?
Spread 3 tablespoons of the bean filling down the center of each tortilla before rolling.
How should I arrange the burritos in the baking dish?
Arrange the rolled burritos seam-side down to prevent them from opening during baking.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe suggests 1.5 cups of grated reduced-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
Should the baking dish be covered in the oven?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 10-12 minutes of baking.
Do I need to bake the burritos uncovered at any point?
Yes, remove the foil for the final 2 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to slightly brown.
What are the suggested garnishes for this dish?
Garnish with low-fat sour cream, chopped green onions, and vibrant salsa.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 4 minced garlic cloves for flavor.
Can I use full-fat cheese instead of reduced-fat?
Yes, though the recipe is modified to be lower in fat, you can use regular cheese if preferred.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The onion should be chopped fine before being sautéed.
Do the beans need to be rinsed?
Yes, the black or pinto beans should be rinsed and drained before use.
Is the chili powder mandatory?
No, the chili powder is listed as an optional ingredient for extra zest.
How do you prevent the tortillas from cracking?
Keep the tortillas warm and covered with a kitchen towel until you are ready to fill them.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 12-14 minutes.
Is this a spicy dish?
It features zesty spices and green chilies, but the heat is mild and can be adjusted with salsa.
What makes this a 'bake'?
The burritos are assembled in a dish, topped with cheese, and oven-baked until hot and melted.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
While designed as a bean bake, you could add cooked ground meat if you are not following a vegetarian diet.
How should the finished dish be served?
Serve it fresh and hot out of the oven for the best texture and flavor.