The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I Stock Up On Every Time I Go

There was a time in my single days when I ate quesadillas for dinner almost every night, and I never once got tired of them. I'd come home from work ravenous after a long commute, grab a couple of sprouted grain tortillas, add some sautéed peppers, cheese, and leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken along with a scoop of beans. Five minutes later, I had a warm, satisfying dinner that I finished with a combo of hot sauce and Greek yogurt.

Those quesadillas hit every need I had each night. But the secret wasn't just the delicious combination—it was that having beans on hand could turn a few simple staples into a hearty meal in under 10 minutes.

These days, with a family to feed, that same principle holds, but now I've got to contend with four hungry appetites and a couple of picky eaters. So when I saw that Dollar Tree was carrying Old El Paso's Tex-Mex style pinto beans, they were an immediate yes. At just $1.25 per pouch, these microwavable beans can be transformed into an easy meal in just minutes.

Why I Love Old El Paso's Tex-Mex Style Pinto Beans

What makes these beans such a staple is how they solve the weeknight dinner dilemma without fuss. Unlike canned beans, which often require a flavor upgrade after being drained, these come pre-seasoned with garlic, onion, tomato, jalapeño, paprika, and chipotle pepper. They have a great base flavor with a bit of heat, but they're mild enough that my kiddos will eat them, sometimes with extra Greek yogurt or sour cream.

The pouches require even less effort than a can of beans, which makes them very convenient. I tear it open, microwave for 90 seconds, and they're done. They can be used to bulk up leftover rice into a complete meal, transformed into chili soup, or even layered into a quick dip when last-minute guests come over.

I also stock the refried beans, but the fact that these come whole makes them much more versatile. They can be the base for burritos (or burrito bowls) and nachos, added to scrambled eggs with cheese for a protein-packed breakfast, or used to stretch my chicken tacos.

Since they're also shelf-stable, I can keep several pouches in my pantry without worrying about expiration dates. As a convenience food, it's reassuring to know that they're a good source of fiber and plant-based protein. 

Even on nights when I haven't planned ahead, I can rely on them to build something satisfying. Keep some tortillas, cheese, and salsa on hand, and you, too, can always have the foundation for tacos, quesadillas, or burrito bowls. A pouch of beans makes easy work of dinner, and for $1.25, who says you can't buy a little bit of weeknight sanity?

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