Pioneer Woman Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole recipe is a cheesy and savory recipe, which is made with refried beans and tequila. It’s the perfect side dish for a Mexican feast, ready in about 55 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole Recipe Ingredients

• Butter (for greasing and sautéing)
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup tequila
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 jalapeños, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Three 16-ounce cans refried beans
• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups grated pepper Jack cheese

How To Make Pioneer Woman Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole Recipe

1. Prep Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt a couple of tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped red bell peppers and onion and sauté until soft, which should take about 4 minutes.
3. Deglaze with Tequila: Carefully remove the skillet from the heat, pour in the tequila, then return it to the heat. Cook, stirring, until the tequila has completely evaporated.
4. Add Seasonings: Stir in the chopped garlic, jalapeños, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
5. Heat the Beans: Add the refried beans to the skillet and stir everything together. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the beans are heated through and well combined with the vegetables.
6. Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the bean mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the Cheddar and half of the pepper Jack cheese over the top. Repeat the layers with the remaining beans and the remaining cheese.
7. Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

Recipe Tips

• How do I control the spice level? The heat in this dish comes from the jalapeños. For a milder casserole, make sure to remove all the seeds and the white membranes from the inside of the jalapeños before chopping them.
• Do I really have to use tequila? You can omit it, but the tequila adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the dish. Don’t worry, the alcohol content cooks off completely as it evaporates.
• How can I add a crunchy topping? For extra texture, you can sprinkle a layer of crushed tortilla chips over the top of the cheese before baking.
• Can I add other spices for more flavor? Yes, this is a great base for other seasonings. A teaspoon of ground cumin or smoked paprika stirred in with the chili powder would add a deeper, smokier flavor.

What To Serve With Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole

This rich, cheesy bean bake is the ultimate side dish for any Tex-Mex or Mexican-inspired meal:

• Beef or chicken tacos
• Cheese enchiladas
• Fajitas
• Grilled steak or chicken
• Cilantro-lime rice

How To Store Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole

Refrigerate: Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freeze: This casserole freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in both plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 1116 kcal
• Protein: 50g
• Fat: 70g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Sodium: 2000mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Pioneer Woman Cheesy Refried Bean Casserole Recipe

Recipe by Marry ThompsonCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

1116

kcal

A rich and savory baked casserole with layers of seasoned refried beans, sautéed peppers, and two kinds of gooey, melted cheese.

Ingredients

• Butter, for greasing and sautéing

• 2 red bell peppers, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 cup tequila

• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 jalapeños, chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Three 16-ounce cans refried beans

• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

• 2 cups grated pepper Jack cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• In a skillet, sauté the peppers and onion in butter until soft (about 4 minutes).
• Remove from heat, add tequila, then return to heat and cook until it evaporates.
• Stir in garlic, jalapeños, chili powder, salt, and pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the refried beans and stir until heated through.
• Layer half the bean mixture in the prepared dish, then half the cheeses. Repeat the layers.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

• Milder Spice: For less heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before chopping.
• Don’t Skip Tequila: The tequila adds a deep, savory flavor, and the alcohol cooks off completely.
• Add a Crunch: For a crunchy topping, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over the cheese before baking.
• Flavor Twists: A teaspoon of cumin or smoked paprika can be added for a deeper, smokier flavor.