https://www.kitchentreaty.com/vegan-camping-food-ideas-a-recipe-for-pbj-overnight-oats/Easy Refried Bean and Cheese Burritos with Optional Chicken - Easy, breezy, freezy. Roll up a few burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too.

Ever since I made a huge batch of these refried bean and cheese burritos, wrapped them in foil, and threw them in the freezer, coming up with lunches has been a breeze.

I can only spare five minutes to wolf something down? Go to the freezer. Grab a burrito. No leftovers for my guy to take to work the next day? Grab a burrito. Simply craving a ridiculously delicious lunch? Grab a burrito.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

In fact, “grab a burrito” may just be the answer to all of life’s problems. Not sure which preschool to enroll your toddler in? Grab a burrito. Seeking world peace? Grab a burrito.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

Okay, so it may not solve everything. But when you’re eating one, it kinda feels like it.

This recipe is so, so easy you almost feel guilty. I think that kind of recipe is the very best kind.

So here’s what you do. Break out a big bowl and stir together some refried beans (I usually use my homemade Crock Pot version), cooked brown rice, your favorite salsa, a can of green chilies, a little corn, and some shredded cheese if you like. If you’re making meatless burritos, you’re done with the filling! Wasn’t that easy?! Or you can break some out, if you want, and add a little cooked shredded chicken to a portion.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

Then just plop a bit of the filling onto a big flour tortilla, wrap it up, and lay it in a pan. Repeat a few times, sprinkle a little cheese on top, and bake.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

Now that I’m dairy-free, I make a vegan filling for myself. I simply leaving out the cheese and, of course, omit the chicken. Sometimes I’ll add 1/2 teaspoon of cumin and a pinch of salt to amp up the flavor, then, if I’m serving them right away, I smother ’em a bit in a creamy vegan sauce and some veggies.

Yasss.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

Eat ’em now, eat ’em later. To freeze, you can either add them to a freezer bag as-is for shorter term or, for longer, wrap individual burritos in foil and mark them with a Sharpie.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

To thaw, you can reheat in the oven, on a grill, over a campfire (we’ve done this!) or, of course, in the microwave (about 2 minutes on high).

And whenever you do eat them, try a little avocado, some salsa, maybe a little sour cream on the side.

Or straight-up! Seriously delicious either way.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

And you’ll soon learn, when a bevy of these burritos are in your freezer, you’ll feel like you can conquer the world. If life give you lemons, you’ll know what to do. Eat a burrito.

If you try this recipe, please leave a rating! And, if you find it share-worthy – which I hope you do – please share. Tag #kitchentreaty on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, and don’t forget to check out my other recipes!

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins

Easy Refried Bean and Cheese Burritos

5 from 6 votes
Easy, breezy, freezy. Roll up a few burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. This flexible recipe can be made vegetarian, carnivorous, or vegan to satisfy every eater.
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans (or two cups homemade refried beans (our favorite recipe))
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 1 cup of your favorite salsa (any kind should do fine)
  • 1 (5-ounce) can diced green chilies
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels (thawed)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus another 1/2 cup or more for topping (omit for vegan version)
  • 12-10- inch flour tortillas*

If adding chicken to half:

  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken

For vegan version:

  • 1/2-1 teaspoon ground cumin (to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste

Options for serving and/or garnishing:

  • Salsa
  • Sour cream or cashew sour cream (blend cashew sour cream with avocado, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeños for a delicious avocado crema - full recipe coming soon!)
  • Guacamole
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Diced avocados
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sliced scallions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the refried beans, brown rice, salsa, chilies, corn, and 1 cup cheese. If adding chicken to half, move 3 cups of the mix to a separate medium bowl, add the chicken, and stir. If making a vegan filling (without cheese), add 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Taste and add more seasoning if desired.
  • If the tortillas don't seem pliable (likely to rip when you bend/roll them), place tortillas on a large plate and cover with a damp dishtowel. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to steam the tortillas.
  • One at a time, lay the tortillas flat and place 1/3 cup filling just below the center. Fold in the sides of the tortilla so that they nearly touch, then bring up the bottom of the tortilla, pulling the contents tight, rolling the burrito from the bottom upl, and keeping the sides tucked as you go. For more guidance, here's a terrific piece from The Kitchn on how to roll a burrito.
  • Lay the burritos side by side in a 9-inch x 13-inch pan (or, if you're making a meaty version and a vegetarian version, keep them segregated by using two 8-inch by 8-inch pans).
  • Sprinkle additional cheddar cheese over the top (omit for vegan version) and bake for about 20 minutes, until heated through, cheese is melted, and they're starting to turn golden brown. Serve.

Notes

* If you're a vegetarian, make sure you use vegetarian (lard-free) refried beans and lard-free tortillas.

Make-ahead:

Let cool and wrap individual burritos tightly in foil to freeze. To reheat, remove foil and wrap loosely in a paper towel. Microwave on high for about two minutes, flip, and cook for another minute or so until heated through. These can also be reheated on the grill or even over a campfire (keep them in the foil)! I've also plopped these directly in freezer bags for shorter-term freezing. Another make-ahead option? Make the filling ahead of time then assemble the burritos later on. The filling lasts in the refrigerator for about 3 days, or freeze in a freezer bag for several months.

Vegan/dairy-free option:

Leave out the cheese.

Meat option:

Add cooked shredded chicken.

Roll up a few of these easy refried bean burritos, bake 'em up, and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. And with brown rice and only a small amount of cheese, they're overall a pretty darn healthy choice, too. Can be easily made vegan, vegetarian, or meaty. #freezerburritos #vegetarian

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