Taco Tuesday: Crispy Bean & Cheese Tacos
Ever wonder where the freshman 20 come from? In my case they came from the twice weekly (if not more) runs to get bean and cheese burritos at 1 am in the morning after a night of drinking. I’m lucky it wasn’t the freshman 40.
All said and done, it took me three universities and seven years to get my diploma. And, no, I don’t have a masters degree nor am I any kind of doctor. It just took me seven years to plow through. Some people (most people) get ‘er done in four years but that’s not how I roll. I just couldn’t do it. I worked full time and between that and school, I needed a little fun in my life to balance things. So I took my time, taking a semester off here and there to travel and be a slacker.
My second year of school, I moved into a ridiculously sweet house with four other girls. Two became my BFF’s for life. They were my partners in crime and one particularly was my late night burrito eating buddy. We used to go out every night, never letting the fact that we had school the next morning stop us. We’d usually be so hammered (sorry mom), we thought the only way to sober up and be ready for school the next morning would be do do the late night drive by and stuff our faces with Mexican food. My order was always either carne asada tacos or a giant bean and cheese burrito. Like I said, I’m lucky it wasn’t the freshman 40.
I still love Mexican food but now a days I follow those lame grown up rules like moderation and I try not to eat heavy past six or seven in the evening. I can’t tell you the last time I was up past 10 pm let alone hitting up the drive through after a night of drinking. I was reminiscing just the other day about my college days and joking about midnight taco scarfing sessions so today, taco tuesday is dedicated to to just that. Only a little more refined and without the bottle of Jagermeister.
We had friends over last night and mowed these tacos along with some locally caught, bacon wrapped grilled elk steaks. It was Monday Night Football and there wasn’t a vegetable in sight. We drank beer, watched football and told stories of our respective home owners associations. Boy how times have changed.
So whether you need a something late night to absorb the booze or you’re just looking for a quick, tasty dinner tonight, crispy bean and cheese burritos are the right call. You can eat them as is but I can’t help but pile on the pickled jalapeños. To me they are the perfect brine-y bite to the rich cheese and creamy beans. Hope everyone is having a great, great day!! xo
PrintTaco Tuesday: Fried Bean & Cheese Tacos
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
Description
A quick vegetarian taco inspired by the classic bean and cheese burrito.
Ingredients
- 1– 14oz can refried beans
- 3 tablespoons green salsa
- pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 8–9 small flour tortillas
- 1 heaping cup shredded cheddar cheese
- pickled jalapeños (optional)
- 2–3 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, heat refried beans with green salsa, salt and lime juice. Stir a few times and heat all the way through.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large cast iron skillet. Spread an 1/8 of the refried beans into a tortilla and sprinkle generously with cheddar cheese. Fold in half and repeat with two other tortillas.
- Fry tacos two-three at time in the skillet on medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the tortillas are lightly brown and crispy and cheese is melted.
- If desired, top with pickled jalapeños.
20 Comments
There’s just something about beans and cheese that go so well together and creating something delicious and comforting.. I bet this recipe is flexible to work with what you have on hand–other varieties of beans, salsa, cheeses, maybe even made up on corn tortillas. Thanks for sharing!
Your story added a chuckle to my morning. Thanks.
We do need to meet soon. I want to hear everything you know. 😉
I saw this post on your IG feed and had to come over to read the story 🙂 What a trip down memory lane! Great storytelling and it’s so fun to reminisce about the good ole days, isn’t it!
As much as I miss the good ole days, my waistline does not!
It does not get much better for me than melty cheese and refried beans. I need these in my life!!
The only thing that makes these better is some trashy tv to go along with!!
Jagermeister?! You party animal! After one lone experience with the stuff (in excess, mind you), I can’t stomach it. These tacos look delish, perfect after any night (but oh boy, would these ever taste good after a night of drinking).
WAS a party animal. I can’t even eat black licorice because it reminds me of Jager. These are perfect hangover food. 🙂
It’s a good thing moms don’t know everything. Just remember that when your boys are older! The tacos look delicious.
Boy did those memories come to life for me, too! Happy to say I was an occasional partner in said crimes….. And late night Mexican was DEFINITELY where it was at!! My oldest daughter LOVES bean and cheese burritos and we are high on tacos at our house currently, so this is going to go over very well. Thanks for the great ideas, friend. Here’s to being older, happier, wiser, and more sober. 🙂
Who does not love mexican?!? Crazy people! LOL! I love these and am all over the bean filling instead of meat. Totally my thing!
I know, right??? I could eat Mexican every day and be a happy camper!!
I love this twist on making tacos. My family eats some form of mexican food every week if not 3 or 4 times per week, but I have not tried something like this. I am so excited to try them and see how the kids like them. Thanks for the idea. I do love your posts.
These are SO simple but so darn good. The crispy shells make them!!
Oh, how I wish I had the metabolism that I had back in college!! I love how simple these are – perfect for Taco Tuesday!!
You and me both, sister!!
I’m suddenly craving tacos for dinner now!
I’m a sucker for bean and cheese burritos too! We keep a few in our freezer for quick lunches. Throw in some veggies and it’s almost healthy 😉
It’s amazing how something so simple can be so dang good!
Oh haaaaaaaaaaail yes.