Cheesy Bean Dip | Simple 3 Ingredient Recipe
There’s nothing not to love about a warm and cozy bowl of cheesy bean dip. You’ll only need three simple ingredients and about 15 minutes to make this recipe, making it perfect for last-minute guests or for any time you need a quick appetizer or side dish. I love making it for meal prep because it reheats beautifully!
Enjoy as a dip, spread onto tostadas or burritos, or added to rice bowls or taco salads, all great ways to use the leftovers. Add this to your list of easy appetizer recipes, game day food, and party food recipes. It’s also very budget-friendly and can be made in a crockpot!
If you’re a bean lover like me, you may like my go-to cannellini bean salad, this Italian twist on beans and rice, and tuna pasta salad with beans, a fan favorite on the blog!
A midday snack attack inspired this recipe. I didn’t feel like going to the store, but I had a can of beans and half a bag of tortilla chips that needed to be used. It was 29 degrees outside, so I wanted something warm and cozy, and this cheesy bean dip was the result. It’s become one of my go-to recipes for a quick snack or side dish. I’ve made several variations, and they’ve all been delicious. I’ll give you some ideas below.
This is one of those recipes that’s deceivingly good for you. Beans are a nutritional powerhouse, providing fiber, protein, potassium, and iron. Tomatoes, specifically the cooked tomatoes in salsa, are a rich source of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant as well as vitamin C. Pair with veggies for dipping, and you’ve got yourself a healthy, high fiber, high protein snack!
Cheesy Bean Dip
A well-stocked pantry is essential for quick, easy meals, and you will always find a variety of canned beans in mine. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used in simple bean salads, soups, easy dips like this, and you can even blend them to use in place of cream or as a thickener. Some of my favorite easy bean recipes are this simple chickpea salad, add them to chicken protein bowls, or my oven-baked rice for an easy twist on beans and rice. They’re a healthy and affordable way to stretch just about any recipe!
Step By Step Instructions
You only need three ingredients to make this cheesy bean dip, but the ingredients you use matter.
- Start with a can of your favorite refried beans. I prefer Siete Organic Refried Pinto Beans. for their simple, clean ingredient list and superior taste, but use any refried beans you like.
- Fire-roasted salsa adds tomatoes, garlic, and onions, along with a subtle smokiness, which gives the dip fantastic flavor. Any brand will work, but a thick consistency works best.
- For the best texture, go to the deli and buy white American cheese. I have them slice it on the thickest setting so I can easily cut it into cubes. American cheese is very affordable, and you only need a small amount (about 1/3 pound) for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese will not work as it is coated with anti-caking agents such as potato starch, cornstarch, or cellulose, which can make the dip grainy and overly thick.Â
Recommended For This Recipe
Made with simple ingredients like organic pinto beans and avocado oil, Siete Refried Pinto Beans are a premium, gluten-free, and plant-based pantry staple!
The most important thing to remember when making this cheesy bean dip is to have patience. Don’t rush it or you risk scorching the bottom. Alternatively, you could add all the ingredients to a small slow cooker and let it go on warm for an hour or so, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is hot, stirring frequently.
- To make the dip, add everything to a small skillet.
- Let it warm through for about seven minutes, stirring often.
- When the dip is hot and the cheese has melted, you’re done.
- Adjust the consistency by adding some of the salsa juice, if necessary.
- Taste and adjust the salt, and you’re done!
- If desired, garnish the top. I’ll give you some ideas below.
The salsa does the heavy lifting in this cheesy bean dip recipe, so the brand you choose matters. A flavorful, thick fire-roasted salsa works best. It’s one of my favorite shortcuts because it already has garlic, onions, peppers, and spices. I’ve been obsessed with this brand lately. If the salsa you use lacks flavor, add extra seasonings such as cumin, garlic, and smoked paprika.
Tips For Making Cheesy Bean Dip
- The ingredients are adjustable. To loosen it up, add salsa. Cheesier? Add more cheese.
- To feed a crowd, simply double or triple the recipes, and provide plenty of dippers!
- If you want it completely smooth, add it to a small food processor and pulse it a few times.
- Jazz it up with your favorite hot sauce, seasonings, peppers, and fresh cilantro.
- Don’t have cheese? Add some cream cheese for a delightful creaminess.
- Serve with corn or tortilla chips, veggies, or use it to make tacos, taco salads, or burrito bowls.
- This cheesy bean dip isn’t the prettiest dish, so I like to garnish it up when I want a nicer presentation. Fresh herbs, scallions, a swirl of sour cream, jalapeños, avocado, chopped tomatoes, or pico de gallo are all great options and add a bit of freshness to the dip!
If you try this simple, cheesy bean dip, I’d love it if you left a comment below!
Cheesy Bean Dip | Simple 3 Ingredient Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce can refried beans
- 1/4 pound American cheese
- 1 cup fire roasted salsa
Instructions
Stovetop Instructions
- Dice or shred the cheese.
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium size, nonstick pan.
- Place the pan over medium-low heat.
- Gently cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the dip is warmed through. Stir frequently.
- Serve immediately. (see post for garnish ideas)
Crockpot Instructions
- Dice or shred the cheese.
- Add all of the ingredients to a crockpot.
- Cook on low for 30 to 60 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the dip is warmed through.
- Once the cheese has melted, you can keep the crockpot on warm.
