A perfect mix of smooth canned refried beans and canned whole pinto beans seasoned with sour cream, Mexican spices, garlic, and onions. Top it all with your favorite cheese and bake for 15 minutes. This dish makes a perfect and easy Mexican side dish!
Preheat the oven to 350. Grab a small baking dish, 8x8 or 9x9
In a frying pan, over medium low heat, sauté the diced onions and minced garlic in the oil until they are translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
½ cup onions, 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil, 1 large garlic clove
While the onions and garlic cook, in a mixing bowl stir together the refried beans and drained whole pinto beans, sour cream, all the seasonings, and optional hot sauce.
16 oz canned refried beans, 15.5 oz canned whole pinto beans, ⅓ cup sour cream, ¼ teaspoon each: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, couple dashes of tabasco or hot sauce
Once the onions and garlic are ready, stir them into the bean mixture. Add ½ cup of cheese and stir it in.
Pour the beans into the baking dish. Top with the additional ½ cup shredded cheese. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 10 minutes.Pro Tip: spray the under side of the foil with non-stick spray to prevent the cheese from sticking.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Garnish with cilantro and diced tomatoes if you are feeling fancy. Enjoy this awesome Mexican side dish!
**optional garnish- cilantro and diced tomatoes
Notes
REFRIED BLACK BEANS: For refried black beans simply substitute 1 can of whole black beans and 1 can of refried black beans.INSTANT POT REFRIED BEANSOPTIONAL VARIATIONS:
Add a TABLESPOON of your favorite hot sauce for more heat and vinegar tang.
Sauté some chopped jalapeno with the onion and garlic for a kick of heat.
Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
If you like your beans super cheesy stir a ½ cup of cheese into the bean mixture and then top the beans with an additional ½ cup of cheese.
Top the beans with whatever cheese you like: cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, colby jack, queso fresco (however, note that the queso fresco will not melt).