Beans, beans, the magical fruit.
It is because of my mom that I have such an immense love for bean and cheese burritos. They are still one of her and my absolute favorite things to eat. As a kid I was always starving after coming in from playing outside. Mom was there to fix me up with one of these ooey gooey, cheesy and crispy burritos. In my opinion, food memories are some of the best memories, ones you can relive over and over with the right meals. If I close my eyes and pick up one of these burritos, I am instantly transported right back to that tiny sunlit kitchen from my childhood home with my little feet swinging off my stool.
Not only are these bean and cheese burritos a childhood favorite, they are an adult favorite as well. It’s like happiness in an edible wrapper. Creamy beans, tangy salsa, and delicious melty cheese all wrapped up in a crispy grilled tortilla. Talk about an incredible flavor delivery system! Most of these ingredients are so common, almost every house will have them on hand in the pantry.
Are these burritos healthy?
Whether it’s a late night snack, a meal on the go, or just a regular weeknight, these bean and cheese burritos are a dish that never lets you down. Plus you can quickly and easily make them at home and save them for later. They beat the heck out of those frozen ones you get at your local grocery store, and they taste far better.
These bean and cheese burritos are pretty healthy, too. You have iron, fiber, and protein from the beans, good fats in the avocado, and calcium from the cheese. They also contain potassium and a little vitamin A. These nutrient-dense burritos are a great option for anyone looking to add a delicious healthy meal to their repertoire.
How do I prep and store these burritos?
To make these bean and cheese burritos ahead of time, simply follow the recipe above. After cooking the burritos, place them on a wire rack to cool, this will prevent them from getting soggy. Once they have cooled down, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days. I love to make these in bulk, then once they are cooled down I wrap them in parchment paper or plastic wrap. I can then place them in a resealable bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months. The individual wrappings make reheating and eating a snap.
How do I reheat the frozen burritos?
I like to thaw them out in the fridge overnight, then heat them up in a pan with a little oil, or I place them on a sheet tray and bake the burritos in the oven at 350ºF for about 10 minutes. Alternatively you can use a microwave, just be sure to cook them in small 30-second increments and give the burrito time to rest before eating.
Serving Suggestions
Even though these bean and cheese burritos are great just as they are, everyone needs a bit of variety. I have a tendency to go a bit overboard with my burritos, covering them with salsa, avocado, sour cream or a lime crema, and extra cheese. Fresh herbs like cilantro add a nice freshness as well. I often make a mixture of finely diced white onion, minced cilantro, and fresh lime juice, then season it with a pinch of salt and black pepper. It’s a real flavor bomb. You can’t forget a side of chips and salsa either, but that kinda goes without saying.
If you are a meat eater I suggest cooking up a batch of our Crock-Pot Salsa Chicken, or our Microwave Chicken recipe, then putting that fantastic chicken inside your burrito. Leftover steak or shrimp both make excellent additions to these bean and cheese burritos. In fact, almost any leftover protein from your fridge can be used. If you are looking at trying another Latin-inspired dish, might I suggest our Mexican Lasagna, this hybrid dish combines two different cultures in a unique and wonderful way.
Bean and Cheese Burritos
Ingredients
- 16 oz canned refried beans
- 1/4 cup salsa plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 large flour tortillas
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Guacamole for serving
- Sour cream for serving
- Hot sauce for serving
Instructions
- In a saucepan, mix refried beans, 1/4 cup salsa, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Lay a tortilla flat and spread about 1/3 cup of the bean mixture in the center. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
- Fold the sides of the tortilla inward, then roll from the bottom up, tucking in the filling as you go, to form the burrito.
- Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high and cook burritos seam-side down until crispy and heated through, or bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve hot with additional salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and hot sauce.
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