30 Bean Recipes (easy meals)

Try these bean recipes if you’re looking for a dinner solution for your busy evenings. They make quick, affordable, and healthy meals.

With their rich flavors and plant–based protein content, kidney, black, white, garbanzo, mung, and pinto beans will become your new weeknight dinner heroes.

1. Black bean salad

Black beans add a hearty and savory depth to roasted sweet potato and avocado in this colorful bean salad.

The rich earthiness of the beans pairs well with the sweetness of the potatoes and corn, resulting in a tasty and meal–planning perfect recipe.

2. White bean pasta aglio e olio

How do you make white beans tasty? This white bean aglio e olio is an Italian-inspired pasta dish with a creamy sauce.

The addition of cannellini beans enhances the parsley and garlic sauce and provides a protein–packed and fiber–rich element.

3. Black bean soup

Black beans become a comforting, creamy, and nutritious soup when simmered with aromatic spices and vegetables.

Black beans are rich in plant-based protein and essential nutrients like folate and iron, making them a fantastic choice for supporting overall well-being.

4. Pasta e Fagioli

Kidney and pinto beans lend a hearty texture to this one–pot Pasta e Fagioli.

They simmer in a rich and creamy tomato sauce, creating a satisfying dish that captures the essence of Italian comfort cuisine.

This dish is family–friendly as the mix of pasta, beans, and velvety tomato sauce is crowd-pleasing.

5. Bean stew

Pinto bean stew with a hearty tomato sauce is a rich and healthy dish that pairs well with couscous, rice, focaccia, and polenta.

The creamy beans melded with Italian herbs create an autumn—and winter-friendly bean recipe we like serving for a weeknight dinner.

6. Mango quinoa salad

Try this black bean mango salad, where ripe and juicy mangoes underline the richness of black beans and nutrient-packed quinoa.

It’s a healthy and refreshing summer grain bowl with a tropical twist.

7. White bean dip

This 5–minute bean recipe is a creamy appetizer and side dish.

White beans are great as they are nutrient–rich in dietary fiber and provide around 8 grams per half-cup serving.

You will get a healthy and velvety smooth dip when the beans are blended with lemon juice and tahini.

8. Tuscan soup

How do you make a creamy soup with beans? In this Tuscan soup, we blend half a cup of cannellini beans to infuse the soup with a rich and velvety texture.

The white beans have a nutty undertone that adds depth and satisfying creaminess to every spoonful of this vegetarian soup.

9. Marry me butter beans

Marry Me Butter Beans is a Tuscan-inspired recipe ready in 20 minutes in one pot. Make it with butter beans as an easy meatless dinner recipe.

10. Sweet potato chili

Sweet potato chili with kidney beans is a creamy, comforting, and Mexican–inspired dish.

Kidney beans are a healthy addition to this vegetarian meal. They are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like folate and iron.

11. Red cabbage salad

Crunchy red cabbage, juicy orange wedges, mixed greens, and nutty pinto beans make a colorful and vibrant salad.

Canned pinto beans are a satisfying addition to salads and excellent as a main meal.

12. Easy pasta salad

Cannellini beans are an excellent choice for this vegan pasta salad recipe. They are tender, slightly nutty, and creamy and absorb the dressing’s flavor.

Thanks to the beans and the pasta, this salad packs a lot of protein – it’s a healthy and flavorful lunch and dinner idea.

13. Breakfast burrito

Black beans are an excellent plant-based choice for breakfast recipes as they are smaller and have thinner skin than other beans.

We recommend using canned black beans, drained and rinsed from their liquid, for this breakfast burrito.

If you use dried black beans, cook them in lightly salted boiling water until tender (about 2 hours).

14. Creamy pasta salad

If you want an easy, budget-friendly meal with beans, try this super creamy pasta salad with fresh veggies and white beans.

The cannellini beans add creaminess and protein to this salad with mayonnaise dressing.

15. Sweet potato hash

We are inspired by Mexican cuisine for this potato hash recipe, which makes black beans an excellent protein choice.

Combining black beans, lime, peppers, and cilantro creates this colorful, nutritious, and delicious meal (which is excellent for breakfast and brunch!).

16. Kale soup

Creamy, aromatic, and healthy, this delicious kale soup is a 30-minute recipe filled with beans, veggies, and tomato flavor.

It’s perfect as a family meal, served with focaccia or crostini bread to sop up the creamy soup leftovers.

17. Mediterranean salad

Our Mediterranean salad combines the textures of fresh veggies, chickpeas, black beans, and sun-dried tomatoes to create the ultimate Mediterranean dish.

It is tossed in a fresh, fruity, and citrusy olive oil dressing and topped with quick-marinated red onions.

18. Vegetable soup

White beans such as cannellini beans, navy beans, and great northern beans are excellent in this soup because of their nutty flavor and creamy texture.

This vegetable soup is wholesome, tasty, rustic comfort food you can make with seasonal veggies in just over 30 minutes.

19. Lentil chili

Lentil chili is an easy one–pot recipe with delicious warming flavors and is ready in about 40 minutes.

It’s excellent as a tasty and easy dinner or a make-ahead meal, as the beans and lentils become even more flavourful the day after.

20. Chickpea pasta salad

We finish this list with a quick pasta salad with garbanzo beans. You can make this chickpea pasta salad in about the time it takes to boil the pasta.

It’s packed with crunchy veggies, a delicious mustard dressing, and plenty of fiber and protein from beans to nourish you.

21. Mung bean soup

Mung bean soup infused with aromatic curry and hearty chunks of potatoes creates a delightful fusion of flavors and textures.

This vegetarian dinner idea is ready in about 40 minutes and offers a comforting blend of earthy mung beans and curry’s warm, spicy notes.

22. Piyaz

Piyaz is a traditional Turkish white bean salad with tahini and red onions.

It’s excellent as a side dish or appetizer alongside other Turkish and Mediterranean dishes or as a main dish with pita bread.

23. Refried beans

Refried beans or frijoles refritos are a creamy Mexican dip or spread often served with tortilla, tacos, and burrito.

They are easy to make in about 20 minutes and excellent for family dinners and game nights.

24. Cabbage soup

This cabbage soup is a hearty, warming, and simple recipe. Chopped cabbage simmers with vegetables, tomatoes, white beans, and herbs in a flavorful broth.

The recipe is easy to make in one pot with simple and affordable everyday staples.

25. Broccoli soup

You can serve broccoli soup as a quick lunch or a healthy dinner. We blend in white beans to make it creamy, fulfilling, and protein-rich.

Serve it with milky burrata, homemade chili oil, and a slice of crusty bread to upgrade it to a complete meal.

26. Vegetarian chili

Vegetarian chili combines protein-rich beans, aromatic spices, and a rich, bold, flavorful tomato sauce.

Served with rice and a colorful topping of herbs, lime, and avocado, vegetarian chili is the perfect cozy meal for a cool evening or family dinner.

27. White bean salad

White bean salad features creamy cannellini, fresh herbs, and veggies tossed in a delicious Mediterranean olive oil and lemon dressing.

It is perfect for a light dinner with pita bread and tahini sauce, or you can bring it to a potluck and cookout.

28. Split pea soup

Split pea soup is an easy one–pot dinner made with protein-rich dried split peas and a few other simple ingredients.

This soup comes together in approximately 45 minutes; it’s incredibly nutritious and easy to make.

29. Black bean burger

Black bean burger is a tasty vegetarian recipe packed with feta, vegetables, and beans that even meat eaters will love.

They are rich in wholesome protein and healthy fiber, and they’ll make you feel great.

30. Quinoa salad

This quinoa salad combines crunchy vegetables, black beans, protein-rich quinoa, and bold cilantro lime dressing into a colorful, bright, and nutritious recipe.

Quinoa salad is an excellent main course for a quick lunch or healthy dinner.

31. Rajma (kidney bean curry)

How to store cooked beans

For these bean recipes, you can use canned beans or dry beans.

If you use dry beans, you must first soak them for 8 hours and then boil them in plenty of salted water until tender.

A batch of cooked beans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and it is best to store it in an airtight container.

You can freeze them for up to three months and thaw them in the microwave or stovetop at your convenience.

More legume-based recipes

Take your pick from these healthy and easy high-protein ideas:

• Chickpea recipes with salads, curries, and stews.
• Lentil meals, including vegetarian meatloaf, coconut curries, and mujadara.
• Tofu recipes with air fryer, baked, and marinated tofu ideas.
• Meatless meals and inspiration for your Meatless Mondays

Collections

40 Chickpea Recipes

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25+ Lentil Recipes (easy meals)

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30 Easy Tofu Recipes

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40 Meatless Dinner Ideas