Name: Slow-Cooker Refried Bean Dip
Total time: 2 h
Ingredients: 3 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans , rinsed; 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 garlic clove , minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 (10-ounce) can Ro-Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies , drained; 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese , shredded (½ cup); 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Why This Recipe Works

Refried bean dip is a staple at any game-day gathering, but it's often lacking in the flavor department. We ditched the dull-tasting canned refried beans. Instead, we started with canned pinto beans, processed most of them until smooth, and then pulsed in some more whole beans to give the dip a chunky texture. Next, we packed in bold flavor with chili powder, garlic, and cumin, as well as a can of spicy Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies. Finishing it with Monterey Jack cheese and bright cilantro balanced the hearty beans and flavorful spices.

Before You Begin

Serve with tortilla chips and/or pita chips.

Instructions

1. Process two-thirds of beans, broth, chili powder, garlic, salt, and cumin in food processor until smooth, about 10 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add tomatoes and remaining beans and pulse until incorporated (mixture will be chunky), about 2 pulses.

For 1½- to 5-quart slow cooker: Transfer mixture to slow cooker, cover, and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 hours on low. Gently stir dip to recombine. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack, cover, and cook on low until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.For 5½- to 7-quart slow cooker: Transfer mixture to 1½-quart soufflé dish. Set dish in slow cooker and pour water into slow cooker until it reaches about one-third up sides of dish (about 2 cups water). Cover and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 hours on low. Gently stir dip to recombine, then sprinkle with Monterey Jack. Cover and cook on low until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove dish from slow cooker, if desired.

Sprinkle dip with cilantro and serve. (Dip can be held on warm or low setting for up to 2 hours.)