11 Cheap and Healthy Recipes That Start With a Can of Beans

... The more you eat, the more money you save! C'mon, guys. What did you think we were going to say? 

Canned beans are one of the most affordable pantry staples you can find at the grocery store, and if you aren't taking advantage of them, you should probably start now. There are tons of recipes to explore that start with a can of beans — here are some of our favorites.

If effortless recipes are your jam, your Crock-Pot is probably the king of your kitchen. If so, you've got to try making your baked beans this way. This recipe is chock-full of flavor, and is all about throwing together pantry ingredients and condiments most folks have on hand anyway. Easy peasy. 

Recipe: A Southern Soul

This recipe promises refried beans that channel the stuff you can find at your favorite Mexican restaurant. In addition to a can of refried beans, you'll need three ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge: sour cream, shredded cheese, and hot sauce (which is optional to boot). 

Recipe: An Affair From the Heart

Spices work overtime to transform the canned butter beans at the base of this vegan recipe. A flurry of curry powder, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, and cumin infuse this dish with the poignant flavor that makes curry so delicious. 

Recipe: Wholefood Soulfood Kitchen

For more affordable recipes, please sign up for our free newsletters.

It doesn't get much easier than throwing three separate types of canned beans into a bowl and stirring them together with a bottle of Italian dressing. No one at the potluck will ever question how much effort you put into this simple side dish.

Recipe: Happy Mothering 

Related: 19 Filling Dinner Salads You'll Actually Want to Eat

These green beans are the perfect companion for dinner, especially if BBQ or soul food is on the menu. It's all in the sauce, guys, and boy is this one delectable, combining brown sugar with butter and soy sauce. The bacon is a nice touch, too.

Recipe: Plain Chicken

Related: 22 Quick and Easy Cold Salads for People Who Hate Lettuce

Level up a can of black beans with this recipe — all you need are some spices, onion, apple cider vinegar, and oil. 

Recipe: Easy Family Recipes

Related: How to Cook Beans From Scratch

If soup is your comfort food, ham and bean soup is a must. Bonus points if you have leftover ham to use to whip this one up with four cans of your favorite white beans. 

Recipe: Cafe Delites

Why not put an antipasto-style spin on canned green beans? This recipe turns a can of green beans into a flavor-filled side salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, black olives, red onion, and Italian dressing.

Recipe: Bunny's Warm Oven

You didn't think we were going to list our favorite canned bean recipes without mentioning red beans and rice, did you? This dish is a staple, and it's vegan-friendly too. You'll need myriad seasonings, canned kidney beans, rice, onion, garlic, celery, vegetable stock, and tomato paste to make it happen. 

Recipe: Thyme & Joy 

What if we told you that you could emulate an authentic Mexican dish, starting with a couple of cans of pinto beans? Well, you can with this easy recipe. Bacon, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper join forces with the canned beans to create one tasty dish — best served alongside some tacos and a margarita, if you ask us.

Recipe: The Complete Savorist

If you want a meatless pasta but don't want to put protein on the back burner, this white bean pasta is a great option (and super simple to prepare!). 

Recipe: The Clever Meal