Black Bean Grilled Cheese with Spiced Beans and Sharp Cheddar
By Tomas Rivera
Prep
10 min
Cook
10 min
Total
20 min
Servings
2
Level
Easy
Black bean grilled cheese can be made in one skillet in 20 minutes․ A can of black beans is one ingredient in this fast meal appropriate for lunch or dinner․ Slices of sourdough bread hold melted sharp cheddar cheese and spiced black beans․ Served hot and cut into portions․
I partially mash half the beans and include whole beans in the other half (though I tend to like whole beans in the mix)․ Partially mashed beans provide texture in the mix; completely mashed beans would result in a paste․ I use a fork to mash beans; other tools‚ like a potato masher‚ may be faster․ I shred block cheese to add to the mix; shredded cheese sold in packages can melt poorly in thick sandwiches․
Soft butter helps prevent the bread from breaking when you spread it․ I do not cook the sandwiches at high temperatures because the outside burns before the cheese melts․ A big nonstick skillet or griddle with room to turn the sandwiches easily is a good option․ Press down gently with a spatula over heat until the outside of the sandwiches is very brown and the cheese is melted․
Allow sandwiches to rest for a minute before cutting them diagonally to prevent filling loss․ Serve sandwiches warm with salsa or guacamole at the table․ Potato soup and slow-cooker white chicken chili pair well with sandwiches if you want to serve them together․
Why you'll love this recipe
- Dinner will be ready in 20 minutes․ Bean filling is made before the sandwiches are prepared․
- All you need to prepare this recipe are a fork‚ medium bowl‚ large nonstick pan‚ and spatula․
- Canned black beans are a convenient food for this recipe․ Seasonings in the black beans help season the filling without additional preparation time․
- You can replace cheese or bread with other pantry items if you don't have sourdough bread․
- The sandwiches are easy to slice after resting for 1 minute․ The beans stay in the sandwiches․
- A large nonstick pan or griddle can be used to make two sandwiches at once․
Ingredients
- •4 slices sourdough bread (or other sturdy bread)
- •1 can (15 oz) black beans (rinsed and drained)
- •1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (or pepper jack cheese, freshly shredded)
- •2 tbsp butter (softened)
- •½ tsp ground cumin
- •¼ tsp chili powder
- •¼ tsp garlic powder
- •salt (to taste)
- •freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- 1
Put the rinsed and drained black beans in a medium bowl.
- 2
Mash about half of the beans with a fork, leaving the rest whole.
- 3
Stir in the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- 4
Lay out the 4 bread slices and spread softened butter on one side of each slice.
- 5
Turn the bread slices over, then divide the black bean mixture over two unbuttered slices and top with the shredded cheese.
- 6
Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, butter-side up.
- 7
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and place the sandwiches in the skillet.
- 8
Grill for 3-5 minutes per side, until the bread is deep golden brown and crisp and the cheese is fully melted.
- 9
Press the sandwiches gently with a spatula a few times while they cook.
- 10
Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, rest for 1 minute, slice in half, and serve immediately.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
580
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