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Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with Refried Beans? 7 BEST Side Dishes

The top sides for Refried Beans include Enchilada Stuffed Shells, Burrito Bake, Mexican Lasagna, Refried Beans Tostadas, and Beef Casserole.

Enchilada Stuffed Shells

Why make two dishes when one can be just as tasty?

For a lighter option, try Beef Casserole. Beef Casserole

This casserole is a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal that is healthy, and full of fresh flavors.

Refried beans are a staple in many of our kitchens. They're more than just a side dish; they're a way of life.

It's a common puzzle we face.

Sure, we could just grab some tortillas and call it a day. Yet, here we are, aiming for a bit more pizzazz on our plates.

They deserve some top-notch companions.

So, what do we serve with them?

Table of Contents

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  • 7 Side Dishes That Go Well with Refried Beans
    • 1. Enchilada Stuffed Shells
    • 2. Burrito Bake
    • 3. Mexican Lasagna
    • 4. Refried Beans Tostadas
    • 5. Beef Casserole
    • 6. Vegan Tacos
    • 7. Bean and Salsa Stuffed Pizza
  • Frequently Asked Questions

7 Side Dishes That Go Well with Refried Beans

1. Enchilada Stuffed Shells

enchilada stuffed shells Save for Later!

Why make two dishes when one can be just as tasty? Try these cheesy enchilada stuffed shells, topped with our seasoned refried beans.

Enchilada stuffed shells takes a classic pasta comfort food and adds the Mexican flavors that make it a perfect side dish with refried beans.

With cheddar cheese, taco seasoning and enchilada sauce, simple ingredients come together in this fun twist to an Italian classic.

A generous layer of Mexican-style refried beans (made from scratch) is just one way to jazz up your favorite stuffed shells.

Customize with your favorite toppings for a tasty dinner for your parties.

For another stuffed option that complements Mexican flavors, consider stuffed mushroom side ideas with savory fillings alongside the enchilada shells.

2. Burrito Bake

burrito bake Save for Later!

Our burrito bake casserole is packed with an ample amount of refried beans, rice and cheese.

It's the perfect side dish when you need to feed a crowd.

Crafted with organic ingredients, this satisfying casserole has a crispy top thanks to its layer of tortilla chips.

A tangy salsa is combined with organic refried beans (to give it extra nutrient value) and a generous sprinkling of cheese.

Add some protein with your choice of chicken or ground beef to make it an epic meal.

Serve with our beautiful side dish and garnish with some freshly cut tomatoes, onions and coriander to complete the meal.

If serving poultry with the bake, Shake and Bake chicken side suggestions for weeknight meals can round out the spread.

3. Mexican Lasagna

mexican lasagna Save for Later!

Treat yourself with a simple and delicious vegetarian lasagna.

This wonderfully flavorful lasagna is a twist on the traditional Mexican lasagna and is elevated with great ingredients such as poblano peppers and refried beans.

Serve it with a refreshing salad, for instance with tomato avocado salad or the guacamole tossed salad and of course with healthy, high-value refried beans.

This lasagna is easy to make and one of the best Mexican food casseroles ever.

A delicious combo of salsa, tortillas, cheese and refried beans.

It's perfect when you need to feed a crowd or have great leftovers for lunch the next day.

Bright, charred flavors balance the lasagna nicely - Mexican street corn side ideas for smoky-sweet contrast offer that effect.

4. Refried Beans Tostadas

refried beans tostadas Save for Later!

Refried Bean Tostadas are the perfect flavor combination of refried beans and a crispy fried corn tortilla.

Top them with your favorite toppings and dig in.

These tostadas are made with 100% natural refried beans layered on a crispy fried corn tortilla and topped with freshly chopped tomato, lettuce, cheese, avocado, and salsa.

A healthy choice for lunch or dinner.

Refried beans are one of the single most nutritious side dishes.

Packed with protein and fiber, they can make any dish healthier.

So, enjoy this tostada piled high with fresh ingredients and a simple refried bean for added taste.

To explore other bean-based sides with similar texture, see pinto beans side dish options for hearty pairings that work with tostadas.

5. Beef Casserole

beef casserole Save for Later!

This casserole is a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal that is healthy, and full of fresh flavors.

With refried beans, it is a balanced option for families who are constantly on the go.

Ground beef and plenty of veggies make this casserole dish both nutritious and enjoyable.

The key to this recipe lies in the use of cooked refried beans that are layered between the beef and cheese with corn chips.

This ensures that every bite is loaded with this healthy ingredient.

Serve with your favorite salsa for a meal that will disappear almost as fast as you can put it on the table.

For hearty, savory accompaniments that match the casserole's comfort-food vibe, review corned beef hash side ideas for robust breakfasts and dinners as possible additions.

6. Vegan Tacos

vegan tacos Save for Later!

A vegan taco is a taco filled with deliciousness and plant goodness: refried beans, avocado, onions, and optional dairy free cheese.

If you love Mexican food, but are trying to eat clean, these vegan tacos will satisfy both cravings.

Refried beans provide the perfect meat alternative for vegetarian tacos.

They're flavorful, filling, and even healthy.

So, when you want a healthier option and go vegetarian, this bean-based filling is never a bad idea.

Beans is the perfect base for building a vegetarian taco that's filling.

When mixing taco styles at a gathering, steak taco side pairings for crowd-pleasing variety help bridge vegetarian and meat options.

7. Bean and Salsa Stuffed Pizza

It's hard to think of a more perfect dish than this healthy recipe for refried bean stuffed pizza.

Bean & salsa stuffed pizza with refried beans is the perfect snack to satisfy your hunger and bring the party to life.

With all the traditional Mexican flavors packed into convenient slices along with our refried beans, this dish has everything you could possibly want.

We wrap up the refried beans in pizza dough and create a salsa center to top off these stuffed pizza rolls that make a perfect appetizer or main meal.

The pizza is topped with cheddar cheese and cilantro and sliced perfectly.

lima beans side pairings for balanced meals and beans and cornbread side pairings for classic combos complement many of the dishes listed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for Refried Beans?

Enchilada Stuffed Shells Why make two dishes when one can be just as tasty? Burrito Bake Our burrito bake casserole is packed with an ample amount of refried beans, rice and cheese.

Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

How do you round out the plate?

A starchy side and a vegetable work well together. This side dish handles the starch, while a simple green salad or roasted seasonal vegetable fills the rest of the plate without competing for attention.

How do you avoid overshadowing the main dish?

Keep the seasoning on the side simple.

Bold sauces or heavy spices can pull attention away from the main.

Let the supporting dish enhance rather than compete.

Do sides need to match the cuisine style?

Not strictly. Mixing cuisine styles is common in home cooking.

Focus on flavor balance rather than regional matching - the plate will feel cohesive if the tastes work together.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

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Andrew Gray - GustoMeadow founder

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Food Writer & Recipe Developer

Restaurant industry veteran sharing real recipes, honest substitutes, and tips that actually work in a home kitchen.

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