You can’t not think of beans when you think of frugal family dinners. Dry beans are very economical, even organic ones. It’s a great way to save money on feeding your family.

The PROBLEM with beans, for me anyways, is that I can never think of how to actually fix them. I’m sort of on a mission to whittle down our food costs and I want to take advantage of the economical protein that is beans.

So I took to the internet to find some options.

Frugal Family Dinners – Beans

I’m going to do my best to organize these, but there is some overlap.

Meatless Bean Recipes

Or mostly meatless.

• Black Bean Cakes
• Creamy Two-Bean Soup with Spinach, Rosemary, and Thyme
• Pinto Bean and Green Chili Layered Casserole
• Garlic Bean Soup with Bacon
• Two Bean Veggie “Meatball” Recipe
• Moroccan Inspired Chickpea Stew
• Southwest Bean Chowder
• Award Winning Black Bean Burgers
• Black Bean, Corn, and Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchero Sauce
• Pasta with Black Bean Sauce
• Vegetarian Mexican Tortilla Casserole
• Curried Cranberry Beans and Sweet Potatoes
• Quick Stovetop Vegetarian Chili with Red Peppers, Corn, and Black Beans
• Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas
• Tuscan White Bean Stew
• Beans and Greens
• Rice Bowls with Spicy Curry Sauce
• Black Bean and Cheese Bake

Beans as Meal Stretchers

Or recipes with meat and beans.

• Spaghetti with White Beans, Spinach, and Bacon
• Easy and Hearty Cowboy Beans with Beef
• Easy Mexican Rice Casserole with Black Beans, Sausage, and Corn
• Easy Beef Enchiladas
• Potato and Chorizo Tacos
• Chipotle Beef Stew on Mexican Pot Beans
• Inverted Nachos Casserole
• Taco Soup
• Black Bean Chicken Enchilada Soup
• Bubble and Squeak with Smoky Beans and Bacon

Chilies with Beans

• Tasty Turkey Corn Chili
• Hearty Vegetarian Chili
• Lori’s 3-Bean Slow Cooker Chili with Ground Beef
• Smokey Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Slow Cooker Bean Recipes

• Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin Chili Mexicana
• Crock Pot Recipe for Sausage, Beans, and Greens
• Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos with Lime
• Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
• Crock Pot Layered Bean Burritos
• Slow Cooker Bean Soup
• Crockpot Red Beans and Rice
• Crock-Pot Crazy Pineapple Chili

Bean Side Dishes

• Colorful Double Bean and Veggie Salad
• Greek Style Giant Beans
• Southwest Ranch Style Beans

Beans for Breakfast

Yes, seriously. (And yes, I realize this post is called frugal family dinners…)

• Gallo Pinto: A Traditional Costa Rican Breakfast

There you go. Over 40 frugal family dinner ideas for beans. I have added a few to my list to try, which ones do you think you would try?