Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole (Side Dish or Dip!)

Name: Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter; ½ medium onion (diced); 1 tbsp garlic (minced); 1 jalapeno (diced); 1 tbsp chili powder; ½ tbsp cumin; 2 (28 ounce) cans refried beans; 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded); 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese (shredded); 1 (15 ounce) can chicken broth

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This Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole is the perfect recipe when you want a flavorful Mexican side dish or an easy refried beans dip! It's super easy to make with canned refried beans, seasonings, and a gooey layer of cheese on top. Whether baked or made in the slow cooker, it's perfect for serving at your next game day party or family weeknight dinner.

Skillet of baked refried beans with cheese on top and tortilla chips on side of pan. — This Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole makes a perfect side dish or bean dip for your next Mexican fiesta!

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a beans over rice kinda gal. Rice at a Mexican restaurant has to be great for me to eat it. I would much rather eat beans...you know...the refried beans with cheese melted all over the top. Yum!

If you're wondering what to make with refried beans at home, this Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole is better than any restaurant!

✅ Simple ingredients and easy to make
✅ Versatile - serve as a bean dip, side dish, in burritos, or on tostadas
✅ Great for serving a crowd for a Mexican fiesta or game day party
✅ Make baked refried beans or slow cooker refried beans - whatever fits your fancy!

🧅 Ingredients

Butter: Oil can be used instead if needed.
Onion, garlic, and jalapeños: Sautéed aromatics provide tons of flavor.
Chili powder and cumin: Quintessential Mexican spices.
Canned refried beans: Any canned refried beans will do, but I always use fat-free because all the fat we need for flavor is added in through the butter and cheese.
Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese: Cheddar provides the flavor and Jack provides the gooeyness. Feel free to substitute with whatever cheese you have on hand as long as one of them is a good melting cheese.
Chicken broth: Thins out the beans while adding flavor.

🔪 How to cook canned refried beans

Recipes with refried beans should be super easy... this one only takes 4 steps!

Start by sautéing the onions, garlic, and jalapeños in a large skillet (affiliate) over medium-high heat. Toss in the spices for a few seconds, then stir in the beans, chicken stock, and cheddar cheese. Top with Monterey Jack cheese, then off to bake in the oven until it's hot and bubbly with a gooey layer of perfection on top! For a pretty garnish, you can also sprinkle it with fresh cilantro.

Scooping refried beans casserole with tortilla chip. — You can make baked refried beans in an oven-safe skillet or slow cooker refried beans for a prep-ahead option.

🕒 Slow cooker instructions

This is a great slow cooker (affiliate) recipe! Saute the onions, garlic, and jalapeños in a skillet, then add them to the slow cooker. Or they can be microwaved with the butter for 2-3 minutes until soft, stirring every 30 seconds.

Add the beans, stock, and cheddar cheese to the slow cooker with the aromatics, then stir well. Put on the lid and cook on low until hot and bubbly, about 2-4 hours depending on the size of the slow cooker.

The one note here is to add a little less chicken stock than you think. Since the slow cooker is by nature a moist cooking environment the beans might get soupy if too much chicken stock is added initially. Just check it after the first hour and add more if the beans are too stiff.

Approximately one hour before serving lift the lid and give it a good stir. If all the cheese inside is melted, sprinkle the top with the Monterey Jack cheese. Now it is crucial that you cover the slow cooker with a kitchen towel and then replace the lid, cooking for another 30-60 minutes until the cheese is melted. If you don't use a towel, the condensation from the lid will drip down and ruin that gorgeous layer of cheese.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd

This is a great dish to serve at parties, holidays, or game day get-togethers. Nothing needs to be changed to double or triple the recipe, but you will have to make it in separate skillets. To make it easier on serving day, I highly recommend making it ahead (instructions below).

🙋 Questions & Answers

How long do you cook refried beans casserole?

Baked refried beans cook for 20-30 minutes, or until they're hot, bubbly, and all the cheese is melted.

Can this be made ahead or frozen/reheated?

Yes. Make as directed, pausing before baking. Transfer everything to a freezer/oven safe dish (or disposable pan). Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

When you are ready to bake, thaw completely in the refrigerator (if frozen). Then bake at 350° with the foil on for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the top is bubbly and the beans are hot throughout.

How should I serve Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole?

You can serve this as a side dish to your favorite Mexican recipes, like these easy Tinga de Pollo tacos or these amazing homemade green enchiladas. You could also serve it as a dip with tortilla chips. Or for an easy dinner, you layer it on flour tortillas or corn tortillas to make tostadas or burritos.

Tortilla chip scooping cheesy refried bean dip out of pan. — Is there anything better than cheesy bean dip? YUM!

👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

Dice the onions, jalapeños, and garlic finely. You want their flavor but not their texture.
Add the chicken broth slowly. The goal is to loosen the consistency without making it soupy.
When making this in the slow cooker, leave the beans a little thicker than you like. The slow cooker will produce extra moisture. After an hour or so check the texture and add more stock if desired.

📖 Other Mexican recipes

If you want to serve salsa alongside your Refried Bean Bake, you will love this Taco Salsa. Don't be fooled by the name... it's just as great on chips as it is on tacos!
Another favorite salsa with a kick is this Roasted Pineapple Habanero Salsa. The perfect combo of sweet, spicy, and roasted.
For a super easy lunch or dinner, try these Taco Quesadillas. Crispy, cheesy, and fast!

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