Chipotle-Charred Corn and Black Bean Casserole
A smoky, sweet casserole with roasted corn, black beans, and a hint of chipotle for depth, topped with melty cheese. This mexican-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, gluten-free) ready in about 50 minutes turns corn kernels, (15 oz), drained black beans, diced tomatoes into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups corn kernels
- 1 can (15 oz), drained black beans
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup, shredded monterey jack cheese
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: Toss corn kernels with avocado oil on a baking sheet, spread in a single layer, and roast for 20 minutes until slightly charred and caramelized.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine roasted corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, cumin, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Step 4: Transfer corn-bean mixture to a 9x9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Step 6: Bake for 15-18 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly around the edges.
- Step 7: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the casserole to set.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle-Charred Corn and Black Bean Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chipotle-Charred Corn and Black Bean Casserole?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle-Charred Corn and Black Bean Casserole?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chipotle-Charred Corn and Black Bean Casserole for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Chipotle-Charred Corn and Black Bean Casserole vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
