• Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • VIDEO SERIES: Learn to Cook on a Budget
    • How-To & Cooking Tutorials
    • Popular Recipes
  • Meal Plans
    • Weekly Meal Plans
    • Freezer Meal Plans
    • The ORIGINAL 20 Meals for $150 Plans
  • Classes
    • Grocery Savings 101 Workshop
    • Freezer Cooking 101 Workshop
    • Meal Planning 101 Workshop
    • Instant Pot Cooking 101 Course
    • My Efficient Kitchen Course
  • Store
    • COOKBOOK: Feeding Teenage Boys on a Budget
    • COOKBOOK: Learn to Cook on a Budget
    • COOKBOOKS & PREP KITS: MyFreezEasy Freezer Meals
    • Whis-Kid Cooking Lessons
    • Erin’s Favorite Gadgets
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • About
    • Press
  • Login

$5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals and Cooking Tutorials for the Busy Home Chef

Save on Groceries in 2025

Monterrey Beans with Cheese

January 18, 2021 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

97 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Sign up to receive FREE weekly emails with recipes, coupons and other money saving tips right into your inbox. Become a friend on Facebook too AND/OR join the $5 Meal Plan Family and get meal plans delivered to you each week!

Beans & Rice doesn’t have to be boring! Try this Monterrey Beans with Cheese dish for a scrumptious, filling dinner!

Beans and rice. Rice and beans.

It can get boring. But it doesn’t HAVE to be! This recipe is bursting with flavor, has budget-friendly ingredients, is served with a nice variety of colors, and will fill up those hungry tummies in your home!

monterrey beans with cheese

How to Make Monterrey Beans with Cheese

Saute the onions and bell peppers in olive oil. 

After about 5 minutes, onions will become translucent and peppers will soften.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes…

Sauce is ready for the beans and the spices!

text

\

Add the drained red kidney beans. 

Mix them into the sauce.

Add the chili powder and salt.

Stir together and let simmer about 10 minutes. 

Then add the shredded cheese.

Stir the cheese in and let it melt into the sauce.

Keep heat on low until ready to serve. 

If you leave it simmering on the stovetop longer than 10 minutes, put the lid on it to keep too much liquid from escaping.

monterrey beans with cheese

Serve over rice with a pinch full of shredded cheese on top.

Side ideas: sliced avocado, side salad, steamed veggies

Scroll down for more rice and beans recipes from $5 Dinners!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved!

Monterrey Beans with Cheese

A delightful rice and beans meal, packed with loads of flavor!
Prep Time5 minutes minutes
Cook Time15 minutes minutes
Servings - 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small white onion chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1 small red bell pepper seeded and chopped
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 - 15 oz. cans red kidney beans drained
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheese as garnish

Instructions

  • SIDE: Cook rice as directed on package.
  • In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium high heat. Saute the chopped onion, red and green bell peppers for 4-5 minutes, or until onions become translucent.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes and drained red kidney beans.
  • Stir in the chili powder and salt.
  • Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the shredded cheese and let melt into the sauce.
  • Serve Monterrey Beans with Cheese over rice, with pinchful of shredded cheese as garnish. A side salad or steamed veggies is a great side dish option.

Favorite Rice & Beans Recipes

Vegetarian Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini

The beans and rice make this dish so filling, you will never miss the meat.

Black Beans with Mango & Cilantro

Hope you enjoy this spin on black beans!

Rice and Bean Soup

aka “Cupboard Soup,” as in use what you’ve got in the cupboard

Mexican Bean Soup with Spanish Rice

Delicious, filling, and super easy!

Dominican Rice and Beans

The best recipe that I can remember for making Dominican Rice and Beans. I’m not sure there’s an “exact” recipe for these anywhere, as they are made everyday for lunch.

Rotel Beans and Rice

Dominican Rice and Beans meets some spice!

Slow Cooker Black Beans and Rice

The perfect way to feed a crowd or a large family!

Coconut Rice and Beans

The pineapple juice gives just enough sweetness to balance the coconut milk

Ranchero Black and Pinto Beans

Sometimes when you throw random things together, it turns out pretty great!

Red Quinoa with Avocado, Black Beans and Corn

Superb and extra points for being Gluten Free!

Brown Rice with Black-eyed Peas and Greens

Take your black-eyed peas up a notch with mustard greens and some zesty jalapeno diced tomatoes!

Red Beans and Rice

Toss it all together in a pot…and let it simmer…and fill your home with the smells of Louisiana

Tomato Black Bean Barley Soup

Comfort food at it's finest!

Southwest Wild Rice Pilaf

You could certainly make this with all wild rice, or all brown rice. Whatever floats your pilaf boat!

Quinoa Soft Tacos

Move on over beef and chicken…there’s a new protein in Soft Taco Town…Quinoa!

Veggie “Fried Quinoa”

Love that the eggs provide the protein for this filling and healthy meal!

Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad

It’s lovely because it tasted light, but the quinoa made the me feel full.

Quinoa with Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This could certainly be a main dish in and of itself, or a delicious side dish with some grilled chicken or steaks

97 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Grocery Savings

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search $5 Dinners

Favorite Meal Planning & Cooking Resources

Whis-Kid Cooking Lessons Grocery Budget Makeover My Freezeasy Erin Chase Store 5DD Freebie Library 20 Meals for $150 Plans

© 2025 5 Dollar Dinners | Disclosure Policy | Copyright Information | Terms of Service/Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Design & Tech Support by Klong Designs



Copyright © 2025 · 5 Dollar Dinners Genesis Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in