Writing a cookbook all about 10-minute recipes has made me the laziest cook ever. I’ve often said that it’s spoiled me for regular dinnertime prep, reducing me to infantile tantrums if anything should threaten to spill over that arbitrary time limit. Though I’m ashamed to admit it, I’ve been known to throw down a spatula mid-stir and plunder the cupboard for a bowlful of cereal instead, too hungry or impatient to complete the absurdly simple task. Just like the increasing efficiency of technology has eradicated our tolerance for lag, knowing just how quick a meal can come together creates a terrible intolerance for long, drawn out steps towards food fabrication.
For anyone else who knows that struggle, I’d like to introduce your to my easiest, fastest recipe yet, possible to slap on the table in 3 minutes all told. No arduous chopping, sauteing, baking, grilling, poaching, or advanced techniques required. If you can open a can and operate a microwave, you can feed yourself very well indeed. Truly, it’s so simple that it’s barely even a recipe, to the point that I hesitate to share this quick fix as a formal preparation. Considering how many times it’s saved me from the daily dinner dilemma, however, it seemed like a worthwhile idea to share.
Beans. Salsa. Spices. Heat and eat. It’s not fancy fare, but it’s a healthy bowl-in-one and deeply satisfying. Even a bare-bones sort of pantry should be able to accommodate without advanced planning, especially when you look at the ingredients with a flexible perspective. Simple as it is, the beauty of this basic formula is that it’s infinitely adaptable to any type of beans or seasoning you can scrounge up. See the end notes for more inspiration, but don’t be afraid to depart from the beaten path; make it your own and embark on a new flavor adventure.
Instant Fiesta Soup

If you can open a can and operate a microwave, you can feed yourself very well indeed. The beauty of this basic formula is that it’s infinitely adaptable to any type of beans or seasoning you can scrounge up. See the end notes for more inspiration, but don’t be afraid to depart from the beaten path; make it your own and embark on a new flavor adventure.
Ingredients
Instant Fiesta Soup
- 2 (15-Ounce) Cans No Salt Added Pinto Beans (Undrained)
- 1 1/2 Cups Salsa
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
For Topping (Optional):
- Diced Avocado
- Thinly Sliced Chives or Scallions
Instructions
- Toss the beans, aquafaba and all, into your blender along with the salsa and spices. Blend until mostly smooth but with a bit of texture still remaining, as desired.
- Transfer the mixture to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high, until steaming hot all the way through; about 4 – 5 minutes. Alternatively, a single serving into the microwave for 2 minutes and store the rest in the fridge, sealed in an airtight container, for up to a week.
- Ladle into bowls and top each with avocado and chives or scallions. Dig in!
Notes
Variations:
- On less lazy days, cook your own beans from scratch! Simply use about 3 cups total and either 1/2 – 1 cup of the aquafaba or vegetable broth, to reach your desired consistency.
- To simply switch things up a bit, consider using black beans instead of pinto.
- Make it an Italian-inspired soup by using white beans and marinara sauce in place of the salsa, plus a generous handful of fresh or dried herbs (heavy on the basil and parsley, please!)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 152Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 697mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 8gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g
Thanks! This is a great recipe very similar to the one I make with black beans, I add chopped cilantro after (or before) heating it. The simplicity is wonderful, and the flavors bright and satisfying.
Sounds good to me, Hannah, both time involved and the results.
janet
What a super easy meal, perfect for days when it’s much too hot to cook. :-)
impressive !
No, no…I can’t imagine you having infantile tantrums in the kitchen. :D While I like quick meals, I always have to add things even when cooking a pantry dinner as I call them.
I just love your soup topped with diced avocado. I don’t like to spend long time in kitchen, I think your 10-min recipes book would come to rescue people like me.
This sounds wonderful, so simple and tasty and perfect on a busy weeknight. Thanks!
This was good the day I made it, but way better the second day!
That’s awesome! I’m so thrilled to hear it! :)