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Bowl of easy one-pot pinto beans topped with melted cheese and pico de gallo on a wooden table

Easy One-Pot Pinto Beans

This easy one-pot pinto beans recipe is the perfect homemade pinto beans dish that's not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavor. Enjoy creamy, lightly spicy beans that serve as a great side, dip, or main for your one-pot vegetarian meals. Customize it with cheese and pico de gallo for a deliciously comforting meal that's ready in less time than you think!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 35 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Side Dish
Calories: 252
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ¼ cups water, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup condensed chicken broth
  • 2 pounds dried pinto beans
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ½ red onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • salt or to taste
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese (Optional)
  • 1 (16 ounce) container pico de gallo (Optional)

Equipment

  • large saucepan or Dutch oven (6+ quart)
  • Wooden spoon
  • Potato masher
  • measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Combine 6 1/4 cups water, condensed chicken broth, beans, garlic, onion, and crushed red pepper flakes into a large saucepan; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Bring to a simmer; cover.
  3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are soft, about 3 hours and 30 minutes. You may need to add more water to keep beans from drying out.
  4. Mash cooked beans with a potato masher to desired consistency.
  5. Stir in mozzarella and pico de gallo before serving.
  6. To make these in a slow cooker, put all ingredients into a 6-quart crockpot, add 6 1/2 cups water to start, cover, and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. Check liquid level halfway through and add hot water if the beans look dry. Mash and add toppings the same way at the end.

Notes

No need to soak these beans! Very simple. These one-pot pinto beans are somewhat like refried beans without the frying. They are creamy and easy to make in no time. No messy clean up with these beans.