Black beans and cheese are a classic pairing that’s enjoyed all over the world.
They’re perfect for feeding a crowd, and they’re both easy and fast to make.
Here are 13 cheeses that are sure to pair perfectly with black beans.
From mild cheddar cheese to bold blue cheese, you’ll be able to find the perfect cheese for your taste preferences.
Not only will these cheeses go great with black beans, but they also make great sides for any meal.
Whether you’re cooking up a simple meal or hosting a big get-together, these cheeses will add the perfect touch of flavor.
So what are you waiting for?
Why Consider Pairing Cheese with Black Beans?
Cheese and black beans are a classic pairing that has been enjoyed by people all over the world for many years.
The two flavors work well together and complement each other.
Black beans are high in fiber and protein, making them an excellent choice for a side dish.
Cheese is also a high-quality source of both nutrients and proteins.
Pairing cheese with black beans allows you to add a delicious and nutritious side dish to your meal without having to sacrifice flavor or texture.
Another reason to consider pairing cheese with black beans is that they go great together as a main course or as part of a healthy appetizer buffet.
Many different types of cheese can be paired with black beans, so you can find the perfect flavor combination for your palate.
What Cheese Goes Best with Black Beans?
Here are 13 cheeses that pair perfectly with black beans.
From mild cheddars to pungent gorgonzolas, there’s a cheese to fit just about any taste.
Try pairing your favorite black bean dish with one of these delicious cheeses.
You won’t be disappointed!
1. Mozzarella
Mozzarella is the perfect cheese to pair with black beans.
It has a delicate and slightly sour flavor that goes well with the earthy and savory flavors of black beans.
Mozzarella also pairs well with other vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers.
So if you’re looking for a cheese that will add some flavor and texture to your black bean dish, choose mozzarella!
Here’s how to prepare a delicious black bean and mozzarella dish:
- In a medium bowl, combine cooked black beans, diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, diced bell peppers, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Mix everything together until everything is coated in the mixture.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and place the mixture on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes until everything is hot and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
2. Cheddar
Cheddar is the perfect cheese to use when you’re making a black bean and cheese burrito.
The sharp, pungent flavor of cheddar pairs perfectly with the sweetness and savory flavors of black beans.
Plus, cheddar is a little more expensive than other cheeses, so it’s a great choice if you want something that will stand out on your plate.
Here’s how to make this delicious burrito using cheddar cheese:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Spread a layer of refried black beans over one half of a tortilla chip.
- Sprinkle on some shredded cheese (either cheddar or mozzarella).
- Fold the other half of the tortilla chip over the top of the beans and cheese, and then place it in the oven for about 5 minutes until the chip is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
3. Pepper Jack
Adding pepper jack cheese to black beans makes for a delicious and hearty meal.
It gives the beans a bit of a kick, while the cheese adds a rich, creamy flavor.
This combination is perfect for those who prefer a bit of spice in their food.
Other ingredients that can be added to this recipe include diced tomatoes, diced avocado, and cilantro.
Here’s how to make a recipe that features black beans and cheese:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread a single layer of black beans onto a baking sheet.
3. Top black beans with a layer of pepper jack cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted and beans are warm throughout.
5. Garnish with diced tomatoes and diced avocado, if desired.
4. Ricotta
Adding ricotta cheese to black beans creates a delicious and creamy dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal.
This cheese pairs well with other flavors, such as cilantro, lime, and avocado, so feel free to experiment and see what you like the best.
Additionally, other ingredients that can be added to this dish include diced tomatoes, diced green onions, and jalapeño peppers.
If you want an easy recipe that you can follow, try pairing black beans with ricotta cheese for a delicious and healthy meal.
Not only will you be satisfying your taste buds, but you will also be getting a healthy dose of protein and fiber.
This dish is also low in calories and cholesterol-free, so it is a great option for those looking to maintain their health and weight.
5. Cream Cheese
Adding cream cheese to black beans makes for a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any time of the day.
Not only does it add a touch of sweetness and creaminess to the beans, but it also helps to bind them together and make them more creamy.
This is a great dish to enjoy as a side, as a snack, or as part of a meal.
You can also add other spices and ingredients to change up the flavor, such as green onions, cilantro, or even jalapeños.
Whatever you add, make sure it complements the cream cheese and black beans and gives you a delicious and nutritious meal.
Here’s our favorite recipe for cheese and black beans!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup diced tomato
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced avocado
- 1/2 cup diced cilantro
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine black beans, onion, tomato, bell peppers, avocado, cilantro, cream cheese, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix well and pour the mixture into an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, if desired.
6. Blue Cheese
Adding blue cheese to black beans makes for a delicious and fun dish.
The blue cheese pairs well with the black beans’ earthy flavor and spices.
You can also add other ingredients like chopped tomatoes or shredded lettuce to the mix for a more complex flavor.
Adding a little bit of acidity from a diced tomato or a squeeze of lime juice can also brighten up the flavors.
Here’s a recipe for the cheese and black beans dish:
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, combine black beans, blue cheese, red onion, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
- Toss ingredients to combine.
- Place mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy!
7. Gorgonzola
Adding cheese to black beans is a great way to add some flavor and richness to the dish.
Gorgonzola is a full-flavored cheese that is salty and earthy, and it is perfect for adding a bit of extra flavor to black beans.
You can also add other ingredients like chopped onions or tomatoes to the mix to amp up the flavor even more.
We specifically like to use black beans and Gorgonzola together because they are both hearty and filling, and they go well together.
They are also a great way to use up leftover chicken or ham, which can be added to the recipe for extra protein.
Adding a bit of cheese to black beans makes them even more delicious and nutritious, and they are a great way to enjoy a simple and healthy meal.
8. Roquefort
Adding cheese to black beans is a great way to add some extra flavor and richness to the dish.
Roquefort is a sharp and tangy cheese that is perfect for adding a little extra zing to the beans.
Other ingredients that can be added to this meal include diced tomatoes or salsa, shredded lettuce, and diced onions.
This is a great meal to enjoy as a quick and easy lunch or dinner, and it can be customized to your own personal taste by adding or subtracting different ingredients.
An easy appetizer to serve with this meal is a heaping plate of black bean quesadillas.
Filled with cheese, tomatoes, and diced onions, these quesadillas are a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the black beans and cheese together.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a main course, try making a black bean casserole.
This dish is made by layers of black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
It is a hearty and filling dish that is sure to please.
9. Chevre
Adding cheese to black beans makes them even more flavorful and hearty.
Chevre is a mild, buttery cheese that pairs well with the hearty beans.
You can also add other ingredients to make the dish even more flavorful, such as diced tomatoes, diced onions, or cilantro. Adding these ingredients will give the dish a different flavor and texture.
A flavor variation you could try is adding jalapeño peppers to the mix.
The heat from the peppers will add a nice kick to the beans and cheese.
Additionally, diced avocado can be added for a creamy texture and extra nutrients.
10. Gouda
Adding a cheese to black beans is a great way to add some flavor and richness to the dish.
Gouda is a great cheese for this because it has a nutty, caramelly taste that can be reminiscent of butterscotch.
You can also add other ingredients to the mix, such as diced tomatoes, diced onion, or chili powder.
Adding these extras will give the dish extra flavor and make it more complex.
A few recipes where cheese and black beans can be enjoyed together include black bean and Gouda taquitos, black bean and Gouda burrito bowls, and black bean and Gouda enchiladas.
These dishes all combine the flavor and richness of the cheese with the hearty flavor of the black beans.
In addition, they all allow you to add other ingredients to customize the dish to your own tastes.
So whether you want a simple dish that is packed full of flavor, or you want to create something a little more complex, adding cheese to black beans is a great way to do it.
11. Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is a perfect addition to black beans because of its sweet, mild, and nutty flavor.
Combined, they make a delicious and healthy meal.
For a little extra flavor, you can add diced tomatoes, green onions, or cilantro.
Other ingredients that can be added to this meal are avocado, tortilla chips, or sour cream.
Some dishes that Swiss cheese and black beans can be combined in include a cheese quesadilla, black bean burger, black bean soup, and black bean chili.
These dishes are all delicious and can be made with a variety of toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and diced tomatoes.
For those who are looking for a lighter option, a cheese and black bean salad is also a great option.
In this dish, the Swiss cheese is melted and mixed in with the black beans, diced tomatoes, and crumbled tortilla chips.
It is then dressed with a vinaigrette and served cold.
12. Feta
Adding cheese to black beans is a great way to add a little flavor and creaminess to the dish.
Feta is a great cheese to use because it has a tangy, rich flavor that pairs well with the savory flavor of black beans.
You can also add other ingredients like salsa or sour cream to give the dish a little more flavor.
For dishes like this, it is important to use a cheese that has a high melting point so that it doesn’t melt into the black beans.
Also, make sure to cook the black beans before adding them to the dish so that they are soft and cooked through.
13. Provolone
Adding cheese to black beans is a great way to add some extra flavor and richness to the dish.
Provolone cheese is a good choice because it has hints of nuts and a salty undertone, which will complement the flavors of the black beans.
You can also add other ingredients such as onions, peppers, or spices to the mix to create a unique and flavorful dish.
For example, you could add diced onions to the black beans and then top them with melted cheese.
Or, you could add diced peppers to the black beans and then top them with crumbled cheese.
The possibilities are endless!
What Cheese Goes Best with Black Beans? (13 Cheeses)
Ingredients
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Pepper Jack
- Ricotta
- Cream Cheese
- Blue Cheese
- Gorgonzola
- Roquefort
- Chevre
- Gouda
- Swiss Cheese
- Feta
- Provolone
Instructions
- Pick any cheese from this list to pair with your black beans.
- Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
- Enjoy in no time!