As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
Beans are an affordable ingredient with great main dish potential. But what can you MAKE with beans? I’ve gotcha covered with these easy and delicious bean recipes.
this …
Beans, beans, the musical fruit, the more you eat…
the more you save!
Surprised ya, there, didn’t I? While beans may sometimes get a bad rap for causing after dinner sound effects, the truth of the matter is that beans are a very budget-friendly ingredient!
Over the past decade or so, eating meatless — and focusing on beans — has been a great way for us to pay off debt, and save money to fund vacations, retirement, and braces.
For a family of self-proclaimed “meatatarians” this has taken a little getting used to. I’ve got one son who’s into nutrition and body building for whom a meatless meal is, well, a challenge.
However, a beefy meal for our family of 8 is easily $20 — just for the meat. Whereas a bean-based meal to feed our whole family could cost as little as FIVE BUCKS!
I did the math and realized that we could shave quite a bit off our grocery bill if we ate a few more meatless meals each week.We ate meatless almost exclusively when we were getting out of debt, and it really helped our bottom line.
So, we’ve been cutting back on meat and supplementing with one of my favorite fill-you-up, can-act-like-protein-under-the-right-circ*mstances ingredients: beans.
Lately, I’ve even been ditching the can to maximize my savings, making beans in the instant pot or cooking them in the slow cooker.
Beans are not only an affordable main dish option, but they also provide a good amount of fiber and micronutrients. Research suggests that eating more beans may also reduce your risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.
Save money AND live better and longer? It’s kind of a double win, ya know what I mean?
The next logical step, of course, is to figure out how you can include more beans in your diet, allowing them to supplant some or all of the meat in a meal so that you can save some money! But, what to make?
What can you make with beans?
Now, if you’re new to beans or have only ever had them coated in ketchup and brown sugar at a backyard barbecue, well, I’m here to broaden your horizons. There’s a whole world of beans to explore, and they don’t even have to be the sweet, canned kind!
Spoiler alert: My family won’t eat American baked beans, and only one of them really loves the British kind. So, we’ll focus on other ways to enjoy beans!
Easy and Delicious Bean Recipes
Taco Soup
Bean Recipes – Soups
Soups are an easy vehicle for beans. You’ve already got lots of other ingredients going in your soup, beans kinda blend in with the crowd. They can be the star ingredient, of course, but in pinch beans can help stretch your soup.
Instant Pot Bean Soup
You can use any kind of beans you like in this easy Instant Pot Bean Soup. It's super cheap and versatile, allowing you to use what you have or find on sale for a delicious, hearty soup supper.
Learn More
Chicken Taco Soup
Loaded with tender chicken breast, lots of veggies, taco spices, and a rich chicken stock, this simple recipe for Chicken Taco Soup is one you will love to serve both for easy weeknight suppers or fancier Cinco de Mayo celebrations. It's ready in less than half an hour!
Learn More
Easy Vegetable Soup
This Easy Vegetable Soup is a great meatless option for a hearty dinner. It comes together quickly on the stovetop and reheats beautifully.
Learn More
Quicker Minestrone
Pull together a comforting, filling minestrone in less than 30 minutes with this Quicker Minestrone recipe.
Learn More
Stone Soup
aka Soup from Leftovers
Learn More
Minestrone Soup with Sausage and Tortellini
Stir up a bowl of comfort with this easy to prepare Minestrone Soup with Sausage and Tortellini. It’s delicious and chock full of fall harvest vegetables.
Learn More
Smoky Bean Soup
Reminiscent of canned bean with bacon soup — without the bacon or the can! — this Smoky Bean Soup is economical and filling, without much fuss.
Learn More
Bean and Rice Soup
This Bean and Rice Soup comes together in minutes. Packed with flavor it’s a great way to use up leftovers, eat well, and save money!
Learn More
Use beans to top or stuff things.
Beans go great on potatoes, on chips, in tortillas, and in tacos. With a little creativity, you could bean everything in sight.
Homemade Chili Cheese Fries
Chili Cheese Fries are easy to make and such a crowd pleaser. You can even make this fun food as a freezer meal for a quick fix any night of the week.
Learn More
Nacho Bar
Serve a fun nacho bar with tortilla chips and cheese dip, along with a variety of nacho toppings so that your diners can make their own plates with their favorite taco toppings.
Learn More
Sheetpan Nachos
Feed a crowd and your hunger for loaded nachos all in one fell swoop. This Sheetpan Nachos recipe will have you set for success.
Learn More
Six-Layer Nachos
Viva la fiesta! These six-layer nachos are packed with flavor and are freezer-friendly. They go well poolside as well as at a tailgate party.
Learn More
Not Soggy Nachos
Enjoy the best nachos possible, the not soggy nachos! This ingenious method allows you to enjoy your chip as well as all the flavorful toppings, too.
Learn More
Chili Cheese Burritos
Chili Cheese Burritos are a quick and easy dinner that comes together effortlessly. Savory chili tucked in a tortilla wrapper and topped with your favorite goodies makes for a dinner you'll want on repeat.
Learn More
Bean and Beef Burritos with Red Sauce
Bean and Beef Burritos, particularly those topped with luscious enchilada sauce and cheese are so tasty. Bake them in the oven for a healthier chimichanga-style dinner. Even better, you can make them and freeze them in advance!
Learn More
Freezer Burritos
Ever been tempted by the contents of the frozen food aisle? It will be easy tojust say NO when you’ve made your own homemade burritos for the freezer.
Learn More
Green Chile Burritos
Make up a batch of these Green Chile Burritos for supper or to stash in the freezer at a later date. Either way, you’ll eat good and cheap.
Learn More
Bean Tostadas
Simple Bean Tostadas come together quickly and easily for an affordable meatless meal, with tortillas, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite toppings.
Learn More
Black Bean and Bell Pepper Wraps
Make-ahead meals are a boon to busy homes. Make up a batch of these Black Bean and Bell Pepper Wraps for a quick and easy dinner.
Learn More
Turkey & Black Bean Tacos
Taco Night is the highlight of the week. Make this week’s taco feast good and cheap with these spicy ground turkey tacos with black beans that you can bake in the oven.
Learn More
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadilla
Quesadillas are a quick, easy, and delicious dinner. Try this Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadilla recipe for a meatless version with plenty of flavor.
Learn More
Quickest Chili in the West
Bean Recipes – Chili
I know, chili purists say that beans don’t belong in chili, but c’est la vie, muchacho. It’s done. And it will continue to be done. I don’t think there’s any turning back.
Easy Slow Cooker Chili
This Easy Slow Cooker Chili really is easy. Cook up meat and onions, open some cans, dump some spices, and walk away. The slow cooker does all the work for you!
Learn More
Spicy Pork Chili with Pumpkin
This Spicy Pork Chili with Pumpkin will wow everyone at your table. Tender chunks of pork simmer in a pumpkin-tomato sauce redolent with chile.
Learn More
Quinoa Chili Recipe
Enjoy a quinoa chili supper that's full of flavor and a good dose of protein. This naturally vegan, Quinoa Chili comes together quickly and easily for a super supper.
Learn More
White Bean Chicken Chili
This easy white bean chicken chili comes together quickly but is packed with flavor.
Learn More
Homemade Chili with Jalapeños
Fresh jalapenos give heat and flavor to this simple chili that comes together in 30 minutes or less. Enjoy Jalapeno Chili for an easy weeknight dinner.
Learn More
Quickest Chili in the West
Looking for a quick, hot meal? How about a quick supper to give as a gift? I gotcha covered on both counts with the Quickest Chili in the West.
Learn More
Bean Recipes – Stew
Beans are added to stew all across the world. Try these on for size:
Spicy Beef & Bean Stew Recipe
Come home to the amazing aroma of this Spicy Beef & Bean Stew that cooked in the slow cooker while you did other things. It’s hot and spicy and utterly delicious!
Learn More
Crockpot Chili Mac Recipe
This simple Chili Mac Recipe is very make-ahead and super good. It’s good old fashioned comfort food that gives you the night off cooking.
Learn More
Bean and Meat Crockpot Enchilada
Bean Recipes – Casseroles
Beans can easily be stirred into your favorite casseroles to add fiber as well as flavor. They can substitute for the meat or just play a supporting role.
Bean and Meat Crockpot Enchilada
Let the slow cooker do the work for you with these lazy cook enchiladas. Simply layer beans, meat, tortillas, cheese, and sauce, for the simplest delicious enchiladas.
Learn More
Black Bean Pot Pie
Consider the pot pie. But instead of meat and gravy, fill it with beans and cheese and salsa. So delicious and freezer friendly, too!
Learn More
Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas
Delicious and flavorful, made with pantry staples, these turkey andblack beanenchiladas are easy to prep and super freezer-friendly.
Learn More
Bean Recipes – Bowl Meals
I know, this one is a no-brainer. You’ve been to Chipotle. But seriously, if they can make 1000’s of different combinations, so can you. Here are a few ideas:
Pinto Beans and Rice
Pinto beans and rice are a good cheap eat, especially when you top it with chips, salsa, and some other goodies. It’s a filling meal to help you save money.
Learn More
Chicken Burrito Bowls
Forget the fancy taco shop and it's high priced burrito bowls. You can make your own — better and for less! Pack these Chicken Burrito Bowls with Chipotle Crema for lunch this week.
Learn More
Cannellini Bowtie Pasta Salad
Bean Salad Recipes
Beans work in salads of every size and shape — except maybe jello. Beans in pasta salad, beans in green salad, beans-as-the-main-attraction salad, it all works.
Black Bean Taco Salad
Brown bagging it will taste amazing when you pack up a Black Bean Taco Salad. These stay good for several days in the fridge, so make a bulk batch!
Learn More
Quinoa Salad
Want a Quinoa Salad that will make you swoon? This would be it. It’s one of my favorites to make for a hearty, protein-packed lunch.
Learn More
Submarine Salad Recipe
The best part of a sub sandwich is the meat and veggies and abundant Italian dressing. You have all those in this tasty Submarine Salad, so good you won’t miss the bread!
Learn More
Pasta Salad with Tortellini
Enjoy a quick and delicious Tortellini Pasta Salad full of fresh veggies and a vibrant dressing. It’s perfect as a packable lunch, a fast main dish, or an easy side.
Learn More
Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
Busy night? Grab a bowl of this make-ahead Italian Chicken Pasta Salad. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Learn More
White Bean Salad
Enjoy this filling, yet easy and refreshing white bean salad dotted with sweet peppers this summer. This bean salad recipe is a perfect side dish for all your grilling recipes.
Learn More
Rice and Black Bean Salad
Eat good and cheap with this easy, make ahead Rice and Black Bean Salad, packed full of fiber, protein, and great taste.
Learn More
Cannellini Bowtie Pasta Salad
Summer salads are a great way to eat well on these hot summer days. Try out this Cannellini Bowtie Pasta that comes together in a flash.
Learn More
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Blend all your favorite antipasto flavors into a convenient pasta salad. This recipe blends spicy salami, tangy parmesan, hearty garbanzo beans, and the crunch of fresh vegetables.
Learn More
Bean Dip Recipes
Beans are know for their dipping prowess. I mean what is a party without the bean dip? Be the hit of said party by bringing a homemade bean dip!
Santa Barbara Cowboy Caviar
Santa Barbara Caviar is a delicious bean dip that acts like a salsa. It’s perfect with chips, to top tacos or enchiladas, or even to serve simply on rice.
Learn More
Homemade Garlic Lime Hummus
Making your own hummus dip isn't difficult. In fact, this homemade garlic lime hummus comes together easily and tastes amazing.
Learn More
Really Homemade Seven Layer Dip
This easy seven layer dip recipe is homemade – meaning less processed and more deliciousness! It’s the perfect appetizer for taco night as well as holiday get-togethers.
Learn More
So, there you have it. What can you make with beans? At least these 40 recipes. FORTY. They’re all delicious and super affordable.
Ready to make the most of beans?
Beans not only make a great base for main dishes, but they also freeze beautifully.
Grab this Freezer Cooking Mini Plan featuring Beans to help you fill the freezer quickly and easily.
- Learn to cook beans at home three different ways.
- Fill the freezer with wraps, pot pie, lasagna, chili, and soup, all featuring hearty beans.
Click here to purchase the instant download: https://fishmama.com/product/freezer-cooking-mini-plan-beans/
Originally published April 20, 2010, this post has been updated and revamped for accuracy and relevance.
