Beans and Grain Recipes

No-cook layered Tex-Mex dip with mashed black beans, fresh avocado, spiced sour cream, cheddar, tomatoes, and olives. A crowd-pleasing party appetizer.

Snouts and beans: a playful Halloween twist on franks and beans, where knockwurst is carved into curling 'snouts' and simmered with jazzed-up barbecue baked beans. A fun, kid-approved party dish.

Mesquite grilled chicken marinated in cumin, lime juice, garlic, and olive oil, served with a roasted corn and black bean relish with cilantro. A Southwestern grilled chicken dinner with smoky depth.

Layered Mexican tortilla stacks with pinto beans, black beans, corn, green chiles, and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack. A 25-minute vegetarian casserole the whole family will love.

Hearty pasta e fagioli with ground beef, red and white kidney beans, and tender vegetables simmered in a rich tomato-beef broth with shell pasta.

Easy ham and beans casserole with sausage, navy beans, white wine, and ground cloves. A hearty, slow-baked one-pot meal served with hot cornbread.

Old-fashioned baked beans with navy beans, smoky bacon, molasses, and brown sugar in a tomato sauce base. The classic New England Sunday-supper bean pot baked low and slow until thick and rich.

Cajun black bean soup simmers dried beans with smoky ham hock, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and cumin into a thick, half-puréed pot. Serve with Monterey Jack, sour cream, chives, or chopped egg.

Broiled potato skins loaded with a fresh corn, black bean, tomato, and cucumber salsa with cilantro and lime, topped with melted cheese. A lighter take on loaded potato skins using Southwestern flavors.

Slow cooker ham and bean soup with diced ham, a leftover ham bone, dried beans, and chopped vegetables seasoned with onion soup mix and Italian herbs. Set it and forget it for 7 hours.

Rotini pasta tossed with chickpeas, broiler-roasted red peppers, roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. A vegetarian Italian pasta dish that travels well for potlucks and picnics.

Quick couscous bowl: pearl couscous steeped in chicken broth, topped with sauteed zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and a can of minestrone. 20-minute pantry dinner that feels homemade.

Pinto bean fudge blends strained beans with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and nuts for a surprisingly creamy candy. No one will guess the secret ingredient.

Amazing taco pasta salad loaded with black beans, corn, tomatoes, Mexican-blend cheese, and olives in a cumin-lime dressing, finished with cilantro and avocado. A zesty, vegetarian Tex-Mex potluck salad.

Ground beef in a garlicky tomato sauce layered with creamy ricotta, stretchy mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan. Classic baked ziti that feeds a crowd without breaking a sweat.

Thai jungle curry (kaeng paa) is the fiery, coconut-free curry, a brothy, herbaceous bowl of pork, eggplant, and long beans simmered with curry paste, kaffir lime, and basil. Light, intense, and ready fast.