21 Easy Bean Recipes You'll Happily Get Gassy For: The Magical Health Benefits of Beans by Donna John

Beans sometimes get a bad rap because of the "music" they can cause after eating them. That bean music is probably worth riding out because beans are a nutritional powerhouse. UCLA Health even goes as far as to say that beans are nature's perfect food.

Beans are loaded with fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These little nutritional superfood gems may even "help lower cholesterol, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, fight cancer, promote digestive health and even help manage weight," according to Cleveland Clinic. And that's just the start of the health benefits of beans.

Lentils, garbanzos (aka chickpeas) and green beans are also beans, but we think they deserve their own recipe collection. For this collection of bean recipes, we'll concentrate on white beans, kidney beans, black beans and pinto beans.

Here are some delicious, healthy and nutritious bean recipes to add to your healthy eating plan!

1. Braised Chuck Roast With White Beans

This super-tender braised chuck roast recipe with white beans is a deliciously different twist on the classic pot roast. This budget-friendly dinner is high in protein, high in fiber and one that will keep you coming back for more. Get the recipe.

2. Mediterranean White Bean Dip

This Mediterranean Diet white bean dip recipe is so quick and easy, and has all the health benefits of white beans in every creamy scoop. Get the recipe.

3. Enfrijoladas 

Corn tortillas are coated in a black bean puree, filled with cheese and baked. Typically, the meal was made with leftover corn tortillas and beans. What a great use for leftovers and delicious way to get all the health benefits of black beans. Get the recipe.

4. Puerto Rican Rice and Beans

The aroma in your kitchen is reason enough to make this delicious Puerto Rican dinner. Serve these flavorful beans over rice for a hearty vegetarian dinner, or feel free to add your favorite protein or a side salad. Buen provecho (enjoy)! Get the recipe.

5. Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup

Want to be out of the kitchen and at the dinner or lunch table in about 20 minutes? This healthy white bean soup recipe has just a few simple ingredients, is packed with flavor, fiber and protein, and requires minimal prep. Get the recipe.

6. Red Beans and Rice

Red beans and rice is a class New Orleans dish. Don't drive to that fast food fried chicken joint the next time you're craving red beans and rice. This easy Cajun red beans and rice recipe is so delicious, and it's ready in about 25 minutes. Get the recipe.

7. One-Pan Crispy Chicken With White Beans and Spinach

This one-pan crispy golden chicken thighs recipe with white beans and spinach is not only quick and easy, but loaded with nutrition! Get the recipe.

8. Three Bean Chili 

This easy, flavorful vegetarian bean chili recipe will make everyone happy and have them asking for seconds. Get the recipe.

9.Marry Me White Beans

This vegetarian marry me recipe is quick, easy, rich and satisfying! Get the recipe.

10. Black Bean Soup

This fabulous black bean soup recipe is from a six-ingredient magazine from America's Test Kitchen. Who knew six ingredients could be so delicious? Get the recipe.

11. Italian White Bean Soup

This Tuscan white bean soup will have you dreaming of the Italian countryside. It's ready in about 30 minutes! Get the recipe.

12. Mayo Clinic Black Bean Burgers

This black bean burgers recipe from the Mayo Clinic cookbook can be made vegetarian or completely vegan. The healthy, high-protein bean and quinoa burgers cooked up so easily in a nonstick pan, but can also be grilled on a grill pan outside. Get the recipe.

13. Turkey Chili With White Beans

Beef chili recipes are plentiful, but we lightened things up a bit with this high-protein and high-fiber ground turkey chili recipe. With easy prep and a short cooking time, this hearty chili recipe needs to be in your dinner recipe rotation .Get the recipe.

14. Mediterranean White Bean Salad

A five-minute Mediterranean white bean salad that's fast, filling, healthy and delicious? No, you're not dreaming! Get the recipe.

15. Chicken Meatballs With Beans and Greens

This healthy ground chicken meatball recipe inspired by New York Times Cooking is easy and fairly quick to make. Get the recipe.

16. Red Beans and Rice Patties

Creamy red beans, rice, vegetables and Cajun seasonings combine to create a flavor-packed, hearty vegetarian meal. This easy red beans and rice patties recipe has a bold Creole mustard sauce that really makes the dish. The first bite will wow you. Get the recipe.

17. Mexican Enfrijoladas Casserole

If you're looking for simple Mexican comfort food, this is the recipe for you. Enfrijoladas is one of the most popular enchiladas in Mexican, and is said to date back to the Mayans and Aztecs. Get the recipe.

18. Creamy Black Bean Corn Salsa

This refreshing and light creamy corn and black bean salsa will be devoured in minutes! Get the recipe.

19. Herby Beans With Roasted Broccolini

The combination of the fresh and zesty flavor from lemony, herby beans paired with the umami from the charred broccolini is enough to tickle anyone’s taste buds. Get the recipe.

20. White Chicken Chili 

No simmering all day here with this delicious chicken chili recipe. This quick white chicken chili recipe is ready in about 30 minutes. Get the recipe.

21. Tuscan White Bean Dip

This high-protein and high-fiber creamy Italian-inspired Tuscan white bean dip is an easy way to enjoy all the health benefits of beans. Get the recipe.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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