Black Bean Casserole

Okay, how many of you grew up thinking pinto beans (or "red" beans if you were raised in the country) were the only type of bean out there? Well, growing up in my household meant that pinto beans and cornbread were not a side dish, they were a main dish! They were cheap, easy to prepare and could feed many!

Now, as an adult, I have found a second love in the bean family....black beans. Many of us have been introduced to black beans via southwest cuisine, and thank goodness for that introduction! Black beans are full of flavor and something else that we all need - FIBER! They can be prepared in a variety of ways, including casserole form! This is a unique dish that is rich in flavor, but poor in calories and fat which means it tastes good and is good for you! And just like pinto beans, they are inexpensive and easy to prepare. In fact, this recipe uses canned black beans which makes preparation even easier.

It's easy to pair this recipe with a garden salad for a complete meal, but of course you don't want to forget to add a side of salsa or pico de gallo to kick the flavor up a little! Hope you enjoy