Cheesy Bean Dip | Simple 3 Ingredient Recipe
A warm,ย cozy bowl of cheesy bean dipย in about 15 minutes, with only three ingredients? Yes please! It’s one of my go-tos when I’m craving a cozy, warm dip or need a quick appetizer or side dish. I love making it for meal prep because it reheats beautifully!
Don’t let the cheesy goodness fool you. This dip is secretly doing you a solid, with beans packing in protein and fiber. Enjoy as a dip, or add it to taco salads, burritos, or rice bowls.
If you’re a bean lover like me, you may like my go-to cannellini bean salad, thisย 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. It was 29 degrees outside, and I was craving something warm, cheesy, and cozy. This cheesy bean dip was the result, and now I make it on repeat anytime I need a quick snack or side dish. And since beans are so affordable, this is a budget-friendly appetizer or game day recipe, especially when you’re feeding a crowd.
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, 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. Some of my favorite easy bean recipes are this simple chickpea salad, adding 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 is the shortcut. It already has tomatoes, garlic, and onions, and seasoning. I prefer fire-roasted for a subtle smokiness, but use what you like. Keep in mind that the salsa’s flavor will greatly affect the dip’s flavor.ย
- American cheese from the deli will give you the best texture. 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.ย
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 set it to warm for an hour or so, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted and the dip is hot.
- 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 withย 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
- This recipe is very versatile! Want it looser? Add salsa. Cheesier? Add more cheese.
- To feed a crowd, simply double or triple the recipe, 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, jalapeรฑos, avocado, chopped tomatoes, or pico de gallo are all great options and add a bit of freshness.
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-sized, 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.
