Introduction
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a warm, cheesy tortilla pan filled with savory flavors and textures. Recently, I decided to try my hand at this Chorizo and Bean Tortilla Pan, and it was a resounding hit in my household. The combination of spiced chorizo, vibrant vegetables, and creamy cheese created a dish that had everyone coming back for seconds. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also quick to prepare, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual get-together with friends.
Ingredients
Chorizo Sauce:
- 1 ½ tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1 onion (peeled and finely diced)
- 1 carrot (peeled and finely diced)
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) chorizo (chopped into small chunks)
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 1 red or yellow pepper (chopped into small chunks)
- 1 small courgette (zucchini, chopped into small chunks)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 800 grams (28 ounces) finely chopped tinned tomatoes
- 400 grams (14 ounces) tin of mixed beans in chili or tomato sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Cheese Sauce:
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) Cheddar cheese (grated)
- 4 tablespoons double (heavy) cream
- Pinch salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons soured cream
Assembly:
- 2 large flour tortillas
- 100 grams (1 cup) mixed, grated Cheddar and red Leicester cheese
To Serve:
- 1 small bunch fresh coriander (cilantro, roughly chopped)
- 1 fresh red chili (sliced)
- 1 ripe avocado (de-stoned and sliced)
- ½ small red onion (peeled and thinly sliced)
- Pinch black pepper
Instructions
1. Heat Oil
Start by heating the sunflower oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
2. Sauté Onion and Carrot
Add the diced onion and carrot to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions begin to soften and become translucent.
3. Add Chorizo
Next, add the chorizo chunks to the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes, allowing the chorizo to release its flavorful oils.
4. Add Vegetables and Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic, chopped pepper, and courgette. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
5. Add Spices
Sprinkle in the cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, and chili flakes. Stir and cook for another minute, letting the spices toast slightly.
6. Simmer Sauce
Stir in the finely chopped tinned tomatoes, mixed beans, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a bubble, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes.
7. Make Cheese Sauce
While the chorizo sauce is simmering, prepare the cheese sauce. In a bowl, combine the grated Cheddar cheese, double cream, a pinch of salt and pepper, and soured cream. Mix until it achieves a thick, spreadable consistency.
8. Assemble Tortilla Pan
Spoon half of the chorizo-vegetable sauce from the pan into a bowl and set it aside. Flatten the remaining sauce in the pan and place one tortilla on top.
9. Layer Cheese Sauce
Spread half of the cheese sauce over the tortilla, then top it with the reserved chorizo-vegetable sauce from the bowl.
10. Top with Second Tortilla
Place the second tortilla on top and spread the remaining cheese sauce over it.
11. Melt Cheese
Sprinkle the mixed cheese over the top and place the pan on medium-to-high heat for a minute, allowing the sauce to bubble at the edges. Turn off the heat.
12. Broil
Transfer the pan to the broiler and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
13. Serve
Remove the pan from the broiler and garnish with fresh coriander, sliced chili, avocado, red onion, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Servings: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve
- Cut into wedges and serve warm.
- Garnish with fresh coriander, sliced avocado, red onion, and chili for added flavor.
- Serve with sour cream or additional salsa on the side.
Additional Tips
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the chorizo with a plant-based chorizo for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- Spice Level: Adjust the chili flakes and fresh chili to your preferred spice level.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheese types, such as Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack, for added flavor.
- Add Extra Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers: This dish is great for leftovers; simply reheat in the oven or microwave.
Recipe Variations
- Chicken and Bean Tortilla Pan: Swap the chorizo for cooked, shredded chicken for a different flavor.
- Mediterranean Twist: Use feta cheese, olives, and spinach for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
- Breakfast Version: Add scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage for a hearty breakfast tortilla pan.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Serve with tortilla chips and guacamole for a fun appetizer.
- Offer a selection of hot sauces for those who like extra heat.
Freezing and Storage
- Freezing: You can freeze individual portions of the cooked tortilla pan. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
FAQ Section
- Can I use other types of beans?
Yes! Feel free to use black beans, kidney beans, or any other favorite beans. - How do I make this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free tortillas and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free. - Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the chorizo sauce and cheese sauce ahead of time and assemble just before baking. - What if I don’t have a broiler?
You can continue cooking on the stovetop until the cheese melts, covering the pan with a lid. - How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. - Can I use canned chorizo?
Yes, canned chorizo works well as a substitute for fresh chorizo. - What can I substitute for sour cream?
Greek yogurt is a great alternative for sour cream. - How spicy is this dish?
The spice level can be adjusted based on your preferences; feel free to omit or reduce the chili flakes. - Can I add more cheese?
Absolutely! Add as much cheese as you like for a cheesier dish. - What are some good sides to serve with this?
A fresh green salad or Mexican street corn would pair wonderfully!
Conclusion
This Chorizo and Bean Tortilla Pan recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that can elevate any meal. Whether you’re enjoying it as a family dinner or impressing friends at a gathering, this dish is sure to be a hit. With its easy preparation and versatility, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and again. Enjoy every bite!
PrintChorizo and Bean Tortilla Pan Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 Serving 1x
Description
A delicious Tex-Mex inspired dish that layers savory chorizo, mixed beans, and a creamy cheese sauce between tortillas, broiled to perfection and topped with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Chorizo Sauce:
- 1 ½ tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1 onion (peeled and finely diced)
- 1 carrot (peeled and finely diced)
- 100 grams (3.5 ounces) chorizo (chopped into small chunks)
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 1 red or yellow pepper (chopped into small chunks)
- 1 small courgette (zucchini, chopped into small chunks)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 800 grams (28 ounces) finely chopped tinned tomatoes
- 400 grams (14 ounces) tin of mixed beans in chili or tomato sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Cheese Sauce:
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) Cheddar cheese (grated)
- 4 tablespoons double (heavy) cream
- Pinch salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons soured cream
Assembly:
- 2 large flour tortillas
- 100 grams (1 cup) mixed, grated Cheddar and red Leicester cheese
To Serve:
- 1 small bunch fresh coriander (cilantro, roughly chopped)
- 1 fresh red chili (sliced)
- 1 ripe avocado (de-stoned and sliced)
- ½ small red onion (peeled and thinly sliced)
- Pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil: Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and carrot: Add the onion and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes until the onions start to soften.
- Add chorizo: Add the chorizo and fry for 3-4 minutes, until the chorizo starts to release its oils.
- Add vegetables and garlic: Add the garlic, yellow/red pepper, and courgette. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add spices: Add cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, and chili flakes. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Simmer sauce: Stir in the tinned tomatoes, mixed beans, salt, and pepper. Bring to a bubble and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make cheese sauce: Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce by mixing the grated Cheddar cheese, cream, salt, pepper, and soured cream until it reaches a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Assemble tortilla pan: Spoon out half of the chorizo-vegetable sauce from the pan into a bowl. Flatten out the remaining sauce in the pan and place one tortilla on top of the sauce.
- Layer cheese sauce: Spread half of the cheese sauce on top of the tortilla. Top with the remaining chorizo-vegetable sauce from the bowl.
- Top with second tortilla: Place the second tortilla on top and spread on the rest of the cheese sauce.
- Melt cheese: Sprinkle on the mixed cheese and place the pan on medium-to-high heat for a minute until the sauce starts to bubble at the edges. Turn off the heat.
- Broil: Place the pan under a broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the broiler and top with fresh coriander, sliced chili, avocado, red onion, and a sprinkling of black pepper.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add more chili flakes or fresh chilies.
- If you prefer, you can use turkey or chicken sausage as a lighter alternative to chorizo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg