16 Quick Protein-Packed Dinners with Canned Beans

You don't need to be a vegetarian to appreciate how wonderful and versatile canned beans are. They're healthy, easy to cook with, readily available, cheap, and make really easy and satisfying dinners. So, if you're looking to save some cash, eat healthier, and reduce time spent in the kitchen, you really can't go wrong with these scrumptious protein-packed dinners.

Chickpea Buddha Bowl
Photo: My NutriCounter
01 of 17

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
Photo by Allrecipes Magazine.

Ready in 40 mins

These spicy quesadillas are full of beans but still cheesy and delicious. This is a great quick meal to whip up after a busy day.

02 of 17

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Photo by Gord Linder.

Ready in 35 mins

If you're going to make a veggie burger, then these are the ones to make. They've been made over four thousand times by our home-cooks, and loved by vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

03 of 17

Brazilian Black Bean Stew

brazilian black bean stew
Nan

Ready in 45 mins

This black bean and chorizo sausage stew is light, spicy, and deliciously different in flavor.

04 of 17

Black Bean Chili

close up view of Black Bean Chili topped with cheese in a white bowl
Cristi

Ready in 40 mins

Meatless chili that's so good, you won't even miss the meat. "This chili recipe is fantastic," says MONKEYD. "My only problem with this recipe is that we didn't make a double batch (it did not make 8 servings for us). You will not miss the meat at all."

05 of 17

Butter Chickpea Curry

Butter Chickpea Curry
Photo by Marisa Ramirez.

Ready in 50 mins

This satisfying curry is filling, easy to make, and won't bust your budget. Sushi0306 calls it "a delicious, creamy chickpea and potato curry, full of flavor and so simple. You control the spice! Serve over a bed of rice."

06 of 17

Quinoa and Black Beans

Quinoa and Black Beans
Dianne

Ready in 50 mins

This hearty salad is perfect for a light supper, that's healthy and satisfying. It's been made more than 6,000 times by our Allrecipeeps. "Very flavorful alternative to black beans and rice," says 3LIONCUBS.

07 of 17

Balela Salad

Balela Salad
Photo by SHUBHA.

Ready in 25 mins

If you prefer your salad with even more beans, this Middle-Eastern-inspired recipe is a great one to try. It features garbanzo beans, black beans, mint, parsley, onion, and grape tomatoes and a quick, flavorful blender dressing with jalapeno peppers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar.

08 of 17

Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce

Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce 200866 JOANNAH 25309
Photo by JOANNAH.

Ready in 60 mins

These little golden nuggets are packed full of healthy protein, but taste incredibly delicious.

09 of 17

Unsloppy Joes

Unsloppy Joes
Sj.

Ready in 30 mins

Kidney beans are the secret ingredient in this vegetarian version of the school cafeteria classic. SUPERTROPE raves: "Fantastic recipe. Very easy to make. Great flavors and tastes great the next day, too."

10 of 17

Vegan Black Bean Soup

Vegan Black Bean Soup
Photo by bd.weld.

Ready in 45 mins

This simple soup is a meal in itself thanks to plenty of filling black beans.

11 of 17

Vegetarian Chickpea Tacos

close up view of Vegetarian Chickpea Tacos served with chips, guacamole and limes on a plate
Buckwheat Queen

Ready in 15 mins

Taco seasoning transforms canned chickpeas into an easy filling for tacos or burritos.

12 of 17

Delicious Chana Masala

Chana Masala
MarkBenton

Ready in 45 mins

Here's a delicious traditional vegetarian Indian dish of chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, and spices. "This is simple and great, simply great!" says domestic-novice. "I doubled the tomato sauce and yogurt as well as added chicken. I, too, used canned green chilies and it was still delicious!"

13 of 17

Mexican Bean and Tortilla Soup (Sopa Tarasca)

Ready in 45 mins

An easy, authentic Mexican bean and tortilla soup with roasted tomatoes, pasilla chiles, and serrano peppers. "It's not possible to get tired of this traditional recipe for Mexican bean and tortilla soup, or sopa tarasca, from the state of Michoacan," says Ainé. "Besides delicious, it is easy, fast, and economical."

14 of 17

Vegan Cilantro-Lime, Sweet Potato, and Black Bean Tacos

Ready in 45 mins

Super fresh and flavorful vegan tacos topped with spicy black beans and sweet potatoes and finished with a creamy cilantro-lime sauce. "A fresh, subtle vegan take on tacos, sure to satisfy your comfort food craving!" says Ryan and Marissa.

15 of 17

Black Bean and Walnut Burgers

Ready in 25 mins

These hearty and flavorful black bean burgers are made with cooked sweet potato, walnuts, Fresno chile pepper, rolled oats, and flaxseed. "Awesome burgers!" raves caseyleann7. "The walnuts really do the trick in giving it more of an earthy quality."

16 of 17

Chickpea Buddha Bowl

Ready in 40 mins

Perfect for when you don't have much time. This vegan dinner features carrots, onions, parsnips and Brussels sprouts with chickpeas and quinoa, but other veggies you could try are: cauliflower, olives, tomatoes, sweet potato, spinach, or kale."

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More Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

Italian White Bean Ramen
Photo by Allrecipes.
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