If you love refried beans or have a few cans that have been in your pantry too long, this collection of recipes that use refried beans will be super helpful! It’s full of easy, cheap ideas and includes appetizers, main dishes, breakfasts and even several meatless options.
There are affiliate links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure policy.
I love refried beans! They’re delicious on their own but are also a great inexpensive way to add a ton of flavor and protein to Mexican-inspired dishes.
I regularly make up a batch of Instant Pot Refried Beans and then freeze whatever we don’t eat to use in recipes like the ones I share below.
Whether you make your own or prefer the convenience of a can, I think you’ll love these recipe ideas!
Refried Bean Recipes
5 Minute Refried Bean Dip- just 4 ingredients!
This refried bean dip is ready in just 5 minutes and only uses 4 pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. It's such an easy appetizer (or light lunch!) recipe and costs just over $2 to make.
Mexican Lasagna
A fun twist on traditional Italian lasagna with layers of your favorite Mexican ingredients. For convenience, it can be made ahead of time and stored refrigerated or frozen.
Refried Bean Quesadillas
Quick, easy and packed with flavor, these quesadillas are perfect for individual or family meals and ready in under 30 minutes!
Mexican Chicken Casserole
This quick and simple meal is family-friendly, uses staple ingredients and is ready in just under 30 minutes. It's also a great way to use leftover chicken.
Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)
A healthier take on a Taco Bell favorite, these pizzas bake in under 30 minutes and are great for lunches or lighter dinners.
Salsa Chicken
Salsa chicken layers your favorite Mexican ingredients into a hassle-free casserole-style meal. It’s a great make-ahead dish and the leftovers reheat well!
Crispy Refried Bean Tacos
Short on time? You can make these crispy refried bean tacos with just 5 ingredients and they come together in 20 minutes!
Beef Enchilada Casserole
The perfect one pan dinner the whole family will enjoy. Full of Mexican flavors and simple layers (say goodbye to the hassle of rolling). Easy to make ahead of time or freeze to use later. A complete meal ready in under 1 hour.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
The perfect recipe for chilly weather! If made on the stovetop, it’s ready in 20 minutes. Or you can toss everything in the slow cooker before you head out for the day, and come home to a nice, hot meal with minimal effort.
Taco Pizza Recipe
An easy recipe that's fun for the whole family! Great for a fresh twist on Taco Tuesday or pizza night.
Easy Mexican Chicken Casserole
This easy, family-friendly, one-pan meal is full of Mexican flavors and takes only 35 minutes from start to finish. This recipe also can easily be made ahead of time and freezes well too.
Refried Bean Soup
Super simple to prep, a great meatless option, and very budget-friendly! You could also add beef or chicken to bulk it up a bit if you prefer.
Chicken Quesadilla with Refried Beans
These quesadillas come together quickly and make a nice kid-friendly lunch or dinner. Great for using up leftover shredded chicken!
Mexican Brown Rice Bake
This Tex-mex dinner creates a whole new meal by using leftovers as a burrito filling. Family-friendly and gluten-free!
Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet
A simple all-in-one breakfast! Not only is it hearty, but it's also frugal and delicious. A fun change from the usual breakfast recipes.
Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
These simple enchiladas are frugal but delicious! A great meatless dinner option.
Enchilada Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells just got knocked up a notch with this amazing recipe! So delicious.
25-Minute Beef Tostadas with Beans & Cheese
Packed with protein, these tostadas come together quickly and are great for busy weeknights. For a vegetarian dish, omit the meat and let the refried beans be the protein.
Easy Customizable Sheet Pan Nachos
An easy crowd-pleaser for your next gathering or an easy weeknight dinner option! This recipe is easy to customize based on the ingredients you have on hand.
Mexican Tortilla Roll-ups
The perfect recipe to take to your next family gathering or potluck.
Layered Taco Dip
This classic comes together in 10 minutes and rarely has leftovers.
Bean and Cheese Burritos
A flavorful Mexican favorite using 3 main ingredients and ready in less than 30 minutes! I love that you can make this ahead of time and also that it bakes directly from the freezer if you want to make this a freezer meal.
Mexican Casserole
The rich, creamy southwest flavors of this recipe are sure to be a hit! Another option that reheats well and can easily be made ahead of time.
Walking Taco Casserole
All the flavors of a classic walking taco but in a casserole instead. The ingredients are simple and adaptable based on what you have.
Baked Taco Dip
This incredible dip has 6 layers of goodness, including cream cheese and refried beans.
Leave a Reply