Three Bean Casserole is a super simple, quick, meatless casserole using pantry items to keep this incredibly budget-friendly and easy
About Three 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.
How to Make Three Bean Casserole
Time needed: 40 minutes.
It’s incredibly easy to make this three bean casserole. Simply sauté the veggies, stir in the spices and beans, cover in cheese, and bake. Here are the step by step instructions:
- Sauté the onions and bell peppers in a large skillet.
Cook until soft, about 7-10 minutes.
- Stir in the beans, tomatoes (and their juices), and spices.
- Cook for a few minutes.
- Optional: transfer to a casserole dish.
Or keep in the skillet if it is oven-safe.
- Cover in cheese. Transfer to the oven.
- Bake, and remove from oven. Let sit a few minutes.
Enjoy!
Cheesy 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: 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.
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.
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.
What to serve with Bean 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.
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
Three Bean Casserole Recipe
Cheesy Bean Casserole
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
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 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!
Meme
This post was originally published March 23, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.
Doesn’t this recipe look good?! You should probably share it:
4
It just looks like cheesy beany deliciousness.
that’s exactly what it is! and it’s very tasty
That looks so good. Great dinner with hot corn bread.
Thanks! You’re right – cornbread would be delicious with this casserole
Not sure why my comments are being left with the name “peanut butter and jelly”, but I’ll take it I guess 😉
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
Oh I’m so glad you came here 🙂 You should try it very soon!
Thanks for sharing the link Michelle
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!!!
YAYYYY!!! This is one of my favorite easy weeknight meals! Thanks for sharing!