This Black bean pasta recipe is simple, flavorful and cooks up in just minutes. This tasty recipe offers a healthy option that your family will beg for over and over again. And since it cooks in less than 10 minutes in one pot, you can eat this any night of the week! Plus it’s versatile and offers you a way to make an Italian style bean pasta or a Southwestern version so you’ll never get tired of making it.
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What is Black Bean Pasta?
Black bean pasta is a pasta that contains black beans as its primary protein. Our recipe has two variations: an Italian and Southwestern variety. Both are delicious and highlight the blackbeans. The southwestern variety offers a bit more of a spicy flavor while the Italian herb version offers a flavorful Italian style pasta.
If you love pastas or simply black beans, you should check out our Penne pomodoro, Aglio E Olio, Cacio E Pepe, Black Bean Corn Salad and Black Bean Soup recipes. They are sure to please your whole family!
Black Bean Pasta Ingredients
This Black bean pasta recipe is packed full of flavor and nutrients. Here is what you need to make this great tasting and healthy pasta:
- olive oil
- small onions
- garlic cloves
- green pepper
- red bell pepper
- black beans
- tomato sauce or marinara sauce
- fusilli pasta
- water or vegetable broth
- Italian herb mix or chili seasoning
- ground cumin
- Cilantro or parsley
- salt
- sugar (optional)
How to make Black bean Pasta recipe in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a real time saver. It’s our preferred method to make this delicious pasta because it’s a one pot meal. Here’s how to use the Instant Pot to make our spicy black bean pasta.
First, turn the Instant Pot onto saute and heat the olive oil in the inner pot. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and onions and saute them for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they are fragrant.
Next, add the diced peppers, black beans, Italian herb mix or chili seasoning, ground cumin, salt, and sugar (if you are using it). Once they are all added, saute for another minute.
After a minute, pour in the water and give it a stir. Make sure you scrape off any food particles stuck at the bottom of the pot.
Once you have scraped down the pot, add the pasta and evenly top it with marinara or tomato sauce. When you have added the pasta, do not stir the pot! Instead, lightly press the pasta down until it’s submerged under the sauce. Doing this will allow it to cook evenly.
Next, close the lid of the pot, set the seal to closed, and pressure cook for 5 mins followed by a quick release.
Finally, carefully open the lid and give the pasta a stir. Serve it in a pasta bowl and garnish with either finely chopped cilantro or parsley.
Black bean pasta on the stove top
You can make the black bean pasta recipe on the stove top if you don’t have an Instant Pot. We highly recommend getting an Instant Pot, because it will cut down the number of dishes you need and the time it takes to cook the pasta.
Here’s what you need to do to make this on the stove top.
First, fill a large stock pot with water and bring it to a boil. Next, add the pasta and cook according to the box’s instructions. This is usually about 10 minutes, give or take.
As the water heats and the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and saute for about 1 minute or until they are fragrant.
When the onions are ready, add the green and red peppers and saute for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they start to soften.
Next, reduce the heat and stir in the black beans, Italian herb mix or chili seasoning, ground cumin, salt, sugar (if you are using it), and tomato sauce or marinara sauce. Allow it to simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through.
Finally, drain the pasta and mix it into the sauce. Serve the pasta in a pasta bowl and garnish with cilantro or parsley.
Pro tips and tricks
Even though this recipe is pretty easy, everyone can benefit from helpful tips and tricks. Here’s what you can do to make this pasta painless:
- Make sure you use cooked black beans. If you use raw ones, they will not cook! You can make these beans ahead in the Instant Pot using this recipe if you like.
- Scrape down the bottom of the inner pot! If you don’t get all the food up, it can cause a burn notice. For more tips on avoiding the burn notice, check out our guide here.
- Do not mix the pasta when you add it to the pot, you just need to submerge it in the sauce by gently pushing it down.
Is Black Bean Pasta healthy
Yes! Black bean pasta recipe uses black beans which are full of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. It also has bell peppers which contain several vitamins and minerals.
You can make this recipe even healthier if you use whole wheat noodles. You could also substitute in gluten free noodles if you need or want to.
Variations
There are a few ways to make this black bean pasta a bit different but still delicious. Here are some great variations to try.
- For the recipe, you can season the pasta with either Italian herbs or chili spices. The Italian herbs give it a Mediterranean flavor while the chili seasonings give it a spicier, southwestern flavor. Both are great and it really depends what mood you are in.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice for some added freshness.
- Use whole wheat pasta for a slightly healthier version of the pasta.
- Add additional veggies to the pasta like corn, diced tomatoes, diced green chilis, or jalapenos for a spicer taste.
Toppings
You don’t need much to top this black bean pasta recipe. We use fresh cilantro or parsley depending on the type of seasonings we use.
You could also add cheese like parmesan, cheddar, or a Mexican blend.
For more spice, you can dice up a jalapeno, green chilis, or other peppers. You could also squeeze on some lime for a fresh citrus flavor.
How to store it
You can store this pasta for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. To store, allow the pasta to cool and then spoon it into an airtight container. We don’t recommend freezing the pasta.
How to reheat black bean pasta
To reheat the pasta, leave it in the container or portion it out. Depending on how much is left, you can microwave it for one or more minutes or until it warms through.
If you prefer, you could reheat on the stovetop. To do this, spoon the pasta into a small pot and use a low heat setting. Stir the pasta occasionally and cook until it warms through.
Love Italian food?
If you are like us, you love Italian food. Check out these recipes for a taste of Italy any day of the week.
- No Knead Ciabatta
- Pesto Cavatappi
- Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
- Penne Pomodoro
- Instant pot vegan spaghetti
- Minestrone soup
Make it, tag it!
If you make this recipe, be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind!
Black Bean Pasta Recipe and Video
Black Bean Pasta Recipe
This Black bean pasta recipe is simple, flavorful and cooks up in just minutes. This tasty recipe offers a healthy option that your family will beg for over and over again. And since it cooks in less than 10 minutes in one pot, you can eat this any night of the week! Plus it’s versatile and offers you a way to make an Italian style bean pasta or a Southwestern version so you’ll never get tired of making it.
Ingredients
- olive oil 2 tablespoon
- small onions, 2 diced
- garlic cloves, 5 chopped
- green pepper, 1 diced
- red pepper 1 diced
- black beans, 1 cup cooked
- marinara sauce or tomato sauce 1 cup
- fusilli pasta 3 cups
- water or vegetable broth 2 cups
- Italian herb mix or chili seasoning 1 tablespoon
- ground cumin 1 tsp
- Cilantro or parsley to garnish, finely chopped
- salt to taste
- sugar (optional) ½ tsp
Instructions
Instant Pot Black Bean Pasta
First, turn the Instant Pot onto saute and heat the olive oil in the inner pot. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and onions and saute them for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they are fragrant.
Next, add the diced peppers, black beans, Italian herb mix or chili seasoning, ground cumin, salt, and sugar (if you are using it). Once they are all added, saute for another minute.
After a minute, pour in the water and give it a stir. Make sure you scrape off any food particles stuck at the bottom of the pot.
Once you have scraped down the pot, add the pasta and evenly top it with marinara or tomato sauce. When you have added the pasta, do not stir the pot! Instead, lightly press the pasta down until it’s submerged under the sauce. Doing this will allow it to cook evenly.
Next, close the lid of the pot, set the seal to closed, and pressure cook for 5 mins followed by a quick release.
Finally, carefully open the lid and give the pasta a stir. Serve it in a pasta bowl and garnish with either finely chopped cilantro or parsley.
Black bean pasta on the stove top
You can make the black bean pasta recipe on the stove top if you don’t have an Instant Pot. We highly recommend getting an Instant Pot, because it will cut down the number of dishes you need and the time it takes to cook the pasta.
Here’s what you need to do to make this on the stove top.
First, fill a large stock pot with water and bring it to a boil. Next, add the pasta and cook according to the box’s instructions. This is usually about 10 minutes, give or take.
As the water heats and the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and saute for about 1 minute or until they are fragrant.
When the onions are ready, add the green and red peppers and saute for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they start to soften.
Next, reduce the heat and stir in the black beans, Italian herb mix or chili seasoning, ground cumin, salt, sugar (if you are using it), and tomato sauce or marinara sauce. Allow it to simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through.
Finally, drain the pasta and mix it into the sauce. Serve the pasta in a pasta bowl and garnish with cilantro or parsley.
Notes
Even though this recipe is pretty easy, everyone can benefit from helpful tips and tricks. Here’s what you can do to make this pasta painless:
Make sure you use cooked black beans. If you use raw ones, they will not cook! You can make these beans ahead in the Instant Pot using this recipe if you like.
Scrape down the bottom of the inner pot! If you don’t get all the food up, it can cause a burn notice. For more tips on avoiding the burn notice, check out our guide here.
Do not mix the pasta when you add it to the pot, you just need to submerge it in the sauce by gently pushing it down.
Recommended Products
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Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 101.4 Ounce -
365 Everyday Value, Organic Black Beans, 16 oz
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McCormick Ground Cumin, 14 oz
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Morton Salt Iodized Sea Salt, 26 oz, 2 pk
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McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning, 6.25 Ounce
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Barilla Fusilli - 500g (1.1lbs)
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Mealthy MultiPot 9-in-1 Programmable Slow and Pressure Cooker
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Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
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Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1
DK says
Can you use a can of black beans ? If you do do you need to cook them first too?
Soniya Saluja says
Yes you can use can of unseasoned black beans. Wash and rinse it and add it after the pasta is cooked.
Catherine Jones says
This was amazing! Opted for SouthWestern style. I added a jalapeño (left whole). I also added a bit of onion powder and Worcestshine sauce because I add it to everything. Even my meat loving husband loved it. Being married to a Vegan can be a trial at times ?