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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Main Dish ยป Vegetarian Main Dish

    Cheesy Bean Casserole

    Published: Dec 6, 2019 ยท Updated: Dec 21, 2020 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Kidney Bean Casserole is a super simple, quick, meatless casserole using pantry items to keep this incredibly budget-friendly and easy

    bean casserole in a white bowl on white napkin with skillet and spoon in background
    • About Kidney Bean Casserole
      • Ingredients
        • Cost of Recipe
    • How to Make Cheesy Bean Casserole
    • Kidney Bean Casserole Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • How to Make Allergy Friendly
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Nutrition Benefits
      • What to serve with Bean and Cheese Casserole

    About Kidney Bean Casserole

    Ever need a meal from your pantry? Well, this bean casserole is an excellent option because all but one ingredient (cheese) can be kept in the pantry or spice cabinet. [This Mexican Quinoa Casserole is another fab option]

    Plus, it takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish including all the prep work like chopping and opening cans, etc. A normal person, who doesn't get sidetracked 18 times while cooking (like me), would probably be able to do it in less than 25.

    chili powder, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, onion, black beans, diced tomatoes, cheese, oil

    Ingredients

    Oil: Any oil you prefer works. I typically use olive oil or avocado oil, but canola oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil can all be used to sauté the veggies.

    Veggies: Bell peppers of any color are great, but I like green or yellow because they add another color to the casserole to contrast with the red tomatoes and beans. Any kind of onion will be fine.

    Beans: Kidney beans are what the recipe calls for but you can use any type of beans you like. In fact, most of the photos are taken using black beans because that was what I had in the pantry. Other beans that work well are garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and white beans.

    Tomatoes: Petite diced tomatoes are my favorite if I can find them, and I also like no-salt added to keep the sodium level lower. You will use one can that has been drained and use the juices along with the tomatoes from another can.

    Spices: Garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt are the spices in the Cheesy Bean Casserole recipe. For a more mild casserole, omit the cayenne pepper.

    Cheese: You don't have to top your kidney bean casserole with cheese, but I highly recommend topping with cheese to make this a cheese and bean casserole. Any kind of cheddar, Mexican or taco blend cheese, mozzarella, or feta will taste good.

    Cost of Recipe

    Note the amounts are not listed for the recipe; it's simply to show the cost of ingredients. Be sure to scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

    • oil 1 tablespoon: $0.24
    • onion 2 medium: $1
    • bell pepper 1 medium: $0.98
    • beans 2 (15 ounce) cans: $1.98
    • diced tomatoes 2 (15 ounce) cans: $1.98
    • garlic powder ยฝ teaspoon: $0.04
    • chili powder 2 teaspoons: $0.16
    • paprika ยผ teaspoon: $0.04
    • cumin ยผ teaspoon: $0.04
    • cayenne pepper โ…› teaspoon: $0.01
    • salt ยฝ teaspoon: $0.01
    • cheddar cheese 4 ounces: $2

    TOTAL COST: $8.48 or $2.12/serving (Based on San Diego Sprouts 2020)

    step by step directions for making a cheese bean casserole

    How to Make Cheesy Bean Casserole

    Time needed: 40 minutes.

    It's incredibly easy to make this cheesy bean casserole. Simply sauté the veggies, stir in the spices and beans, cover in cheese, and bake. Here are the step by step instructions:

    1. Sauté the onions and bell peppers in a large skillet.

      Cook until soft, about 7-10 minutes.

    2. Stir in the beans, tomatoes (and their juices), and spices.

    3. Cook for a few minutes.

    4. Optional: transfer to a casserole dish.

      Or keep in the skillet if it is oven-safe.

    5. Cover in cheese. Transfer to the oven.

    6. Bake, and remove from oven. Let sit a few minutes.

      Enjoy!white bowl of bean casserole with skillet of casserole

    Kidney Bean Casserole Tips

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    Veggies: You can use frozen chopped veggies to make this even faster to prepare since you won't have to chop anything.

    Beans: Use any type of bean you like.

    Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes are best, but you can substitute one can with diced tomatoes and green chilies if needed. If you do, omit the cayenne pepper so the casserole isn't too spicy.

    beans and veggies stirred in a red skillet with a green spoon

    How to Make Allergy Friendly

    This is already gluten free, egg free, and soy free. To make dairy free, omit the cheese or use dairy-free cheese.

    spoon in small casserole dish with bean casserole
    this is a horrific photo of the casserole from 2012 haha

    Make Ahead Ideas

    The casserole can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 weeks.

    To freeze: freeze the casserole in a baking dish before topping with cheese. Transfer to the refrigerator the morning you plan to cook it, and take it out of the fridge before preheating the oven. Cook for 15 minutes (or whenever it is warmed through) instead of 5.

    Storage Suggestions

    Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 4 weeks.

    red skillet and white bowl with bean casserole on white and black napkin

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Nutrition Benefits

    What to serve with Bean and Cheese Casserole

    This casserole is a meal in and of itself, so there's really no need to serve it with anything. You can always add toppings like avocado, green onions, cilantro, or parsley.

    Final thoughts:

    Using pantry ingredients like canned beans and tomatoes along with spices helps you have an inexpensive, vegetarian meal that isn't hard to make. It's flavorful and filling, and the only thing you need in the fridge is cheese. Otherwise, everything else comes from the pantry or spice cabinet. this budget-friendly casserole is a staple in my life for emergency dinners.

    bean casserole in a white bowl with the casserole in a skillet on the side and a green slotted spoon

    MORE BEAN RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Avocado Black Bean Burgers
    • Mexican Three Bean Salad
    • Sausage Kale White Bean Soup
    • Black Bean and Kale Tacos
    • Three Bean and Quinoa Chili

    bean casserole in a white bowl on white napkin with skillet and spoon in background

    Cheesy Bean Casserole

    Kidney Bean Casserole is a simple, quick, meatless casserole using pantry items to keep this incredibly budget-friendly and easy
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $8.48 or $2.12/serving

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon oil avocado or olive oil
    • 3 cups diced onion about 2 onions
    • 1 cup diced bell pepper
    • 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans or black beans, drained and well-rinsed
    • 2 (14.5 ounce) cans no-salt added tomatoes one drained & one un-drained
    • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • ยผ teaspoon paprika
    • ยผ teaspoon cumin
    • โ…› teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ยฝ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 4 ounces

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°F.
    • Heat the oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion & bell pepper and sauté until tender, about 7 minutes.
    • Stir in beans, tomatoes, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and chili powder if using. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring well.
    • Spoon the mixture into an 8 inch square baking dish or 4 individual baking dishes. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

    What to Use in This Recipe

    two black skillets with silver handles
    Skillet
    red spoon
    Spoon
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo
    casserole dish with beans covered in cheese
    another beautiful photo from 2012

    [showhide type="post" more_text="Click here for Cheesy Bean Casserole Nutrition Facts" less_text="Clear Nutrition Facts"]
    *

    Nutrition Facts
    Cheesy Bean Casserole
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    458
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    13
    g
    20
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    38
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    30
    mg
    10
    %
    Sodium
     
    772
    mg
    34
    %
    Potassium
     
    1546
    mg
    44
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    65
    g
    22
    %
    Fiber
     
    19
    g
    79
    %
    Sugar
     
    17
    g
    19
    %
    Protein
     
    26
    g
    52
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    2289
    IU
    46
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    78
    mg
    95
    %
    Calcium
     
    353
    mg
    35
    %
    Iron
     
    8
    mg
    44
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *
    [/showhide]

    Meme

    This post was originally published on March 23, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

    Doesn't this recipe look good?! You should probably share it:

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sportsglutton says

      March 23, 2012 at 3:17 pm

      It just looks like cheesy beany deliciousness.

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        March 27, 2012 at 4:53 pm

        that's exactly what it is! and it's very tasty

        Reply
    2. peanut butter and jelly says

      April 18, 2012 at 10:20 am

      That looks so good. Great dinner with hot corn bread.

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        April 18, 2012 at 10:22 am

        Thanks! You're right - cornbread would be delicious with this casserole

        Reply
    3. peanut butter and jelly says

      April 18, 2012 at 10:21 am

      Not sure why my comments are being left with the name "peanut butter and jelly", but I'll take it I guess ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
    4. Michelle says

      April 22, 2012 at 1:34 pm

      Hi Meme,

      I followed you over from Ingredient Spotlight and this look delicious. I love cheese and beans so who would miss the meat. I can't wait to try it.

      I would love to invite you to share this, and any other posts you would like to, at my Creative Thursday Link Party.

      Have a great day,
      Michelle

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        April 23, 2012 at 8:05 pm

        Oh I'm so glad you came here ๐Ÿ™‚ You should try it very soon!
        Thanks for sharing the link Michelle

        Reply
    5. Rachelle Pollock says

      May 20, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      Stumbled across this recipe and just finished making it. It is delicious. I added fresh garlic just because I had a lot of it to use up. I also doubled the recipe. Took me longer to prepare due to chopping onions, pepper and garlic but healthy cooking from scratch will always include prep time. So good and thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        June 11, 2019 at 4:07 pm

        YAYYYY!!! This is one of my favorite easy weeknight meals! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
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