19 Recipes You Can Make With a Can of Beans (2024)

Most households will always have a couple of cans of beans on hand. Not only are they cheap and easy, but they’re also incredibly versatile making them a great option for a wide variety of dishes. They’re the cornerstone of every well-stocked pantry and can contribute to delicious-tasting meals. That is why gathering up some delicious recipes you can make with a can of beans was a great idea!

Recipes You Can Make From a Can of Beans

From simple pasta and salads to more complex soups and stews, beans are one of the best ingredients when it comes to versatility. Beans are also full of protein and fiber so have a high nutritional value when added to recipes.

If you’re looking to gain further inspiration from your cans of beans, then look no further. This guide will take a look at 19 of the best recipes that can all be made from those trusted beans in the back of your cupboard!

Need more meal inspiration? Check out our list of ways to use leftover chili for some great ideas to stretch your meal plan further! You might also like this list of chili recipes or even these fantastic soup recipes!

1). Black Bean Salad

This recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients with a distinct tangy taste. It’s perfect for an easy lunch or an accompanying dish in a large family barbecue.

2). Minestrone

This simple and quick Italian minestrone soup is a hearty dish made up of vegetables, pasta and beans. The best thing about this recipe is the tomato broth which is packed full of flavor with rosemary and herbs. It’s ideal for a weeknight dinner and easily adaptable to whichever vegetables you have on hand.

3). Bean and Sausage Casserole

For those who love meat and potatoes, this is a great way to use your canned beans. A juicy pork sausage provides the base, with a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, including beans and a variety of fresh herbs. It’s hearty, satisfying and easy to make. It’s worth noting that a side of rice or crusty bread compliments this dish excellently.

4). Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

This recipe consists of freshly roasted red peppers, chickpeas and tahini. It’s a great side dish with pita bread, tortilla chips and vegetables. It’s equally delicious when used as a sandwich spread. After sampling this homemade hummus, it’s very unlikely that you’ll ever go back to store-bought hummus.

5). Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos

Nachos like you’ve never seen them. This recipe is loaded with both refried and black beans, so you definitely won’t be missing the protein with these cheese-heavy vegetarian nachos. The dish comes together super quickly with the flexibility to add whatever toppings you fancy, whether that’s bacon or Sriracha sauce.

6). Hot Chicken Enchilada Bean Dip

This dip is a great appetizer or side dish for all members of the family. It’ll only take a few minutes to throw together before putting in the oven, and will come out super cheesy and full of flavor like the perfect enchilada.

7). Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup

This popular creamy soup is easy to make and perfect for a cozy winter evening. It can easily be made vegan and you can also use any non-dairy substitute for the heavy cream found on the recipe list.

8). Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Egg White Burritos

These super healthy burritos are perfect for breakfast as they’re packed with protein and full of delicious ingredients. They’re also freezer-friendly which is handy if you’re into meal prep.

9). Chili Mac and Cheese

This recipe is all made in just one pot and takes under 30 minutes to cook. It’s just like your standard chili - but with the added bonus of delicious Mac and Cheese. What’s not to like? With beef mince, pasta, beans, cheese, canned tomatoes, and spices, this dish is a real classic.

10). Easy Three-Bean Chili

This three-bean chili recipe is packed full of protein, and typically made with kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas. You can however, use pretty much any type of canned beans that you have on hand.

If you’re looking for a hotter dish, this could be a great option for you as it’s spiced with jalapeno pepper and cayenne pepper.

11). Tandoori Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This dish is best served as a side to a larger meal. It’s also best on a wide plate, not a bowl, as the potatoes when piled on top of each other can continue to steam and get mushy. You can also be creative with the spices in this recipe, so if you like a bit of a kick you can add some red pepper, or if you enjoy citrus, a squeeze of lime.

12). Southwestern Stuffed Bell Peppers

This recipe is a perfect healthy dish for the whole family to enjoy. With classic Southwestern flavors, ground beef, corn, rice and beans, this dish isn’t only full of flavor, but also aesthetically pleasing on the eye with the rainbow of bell peppers.

13). Spicy Chicken and Pinto Bean Stew

Simple and healthy, this meal is a hearty one-pot dish that will be guaranteed to leave you satisfied. With peppers, tomatoes, beans, and a whole host of chilli, onion and garlic in the recipe, this chicken dish provides an explosion of different tastes. If this isn’t enough, it’s also easy on the washing up afterwards.

14). Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

This recipe provides a modern twist on a classic dish, and is the ultimate meal for those who love hearty, comfort food. Green beans are combined with homemade mushroom soup and cheddar cheese to produce a unique, but delicious-tasting casserole. Added to the top are fried onions which complete the masterpiece.

15). Skillet Baked White Beans

This may not be the healthiest recipe on the list, but boy does it make up for it with the taste. The inclusion of crunchy bacon is a must, while cannellini beans are recommended over standard beans.

A fried or poached egg on top provides a runny yolk which adds to the messy nature of the dish, but makes it taste even better. This meal is perfect for a stodgy breakfast with a couple of slices of toast.

16). Smoky Beans on Toast

Forget your usual beans on toast, this homemade version is even better. It also contains an impressive four of your five-a-day. The smoky flavor mainly comes from the paprika, so if you’re a big fan of the taste, feel free to add a little more.

17). Tuscan Tuna and White Bean Salad

This healthy salad is quick and easy to make, so perfect for a lunch or a light dinner. The dish is protein-rich with chunks of albacore tuna, as well as white beans tossed with arugula and a variety of other Mediterranean flavors.

18). Mexican Pulled Chicken and Beans

An ideal dish for sharing with friends or family, this Mexican Pulled Chicken and Beans recipe isn’t only packed with high-quality ingredients, it’s also relatively kind on the bank account. So if you’re a student looking to entertain some friends, this dish could be an ideal option for you.

19). Quinoa Black Bean Tacos

The final dish on this list is Quinoa Black Bean Tacos. As with most of the previous recipes, this dish is easy, healthy and great-tasting. So much so that even a lot of meat-eaters will enjoy it. The tacos are loaded with huge amounts of flavor from the abundance of beans and sweet corn kernels, so definitely one to try out.