Mexican Bean and Cheese Molletes

Classic Mexican sandwiches topped with beans, cheese, and Pico de Gallo.

Molletes are traditional Mexican open-faced sandwiches using refried beans and melting cheese as the main components, typically garnished with freshly made Pico de Gallo.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Servings: 4

Full Ingredient List

  • 2 cups refried beans (or bean puree)
  • 1-2 cups shredded cheese
  • 3-4 bread rolls
  • butter
  • 2 plum tomatoes
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1/2 jalapeno
  • 1 lime
  • 15-20 sprigs cilantro
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 chipotles in adobo
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water or stock

Refried Beans

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
1 can Black beans drain and rinse pinto beans
1/2 Onion roughly chopped
2 Garlic cloves peeled
2 Chipotles in adobo chipotle powder
1 tablespoon Adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
to taste Black pepper freshly ground
1/2 cup Water or stock

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Roughly chop 1/2 onion and peel 2 garlic cloves.
  2. Step 2: Sauté the onion and garlic in a glug of oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Drain and rinse 1 can of black beans. (Tips: Rinsing reduces sodium content from canned beans.)
  4. Step 4: Add black beans, 2 chipotles in adobo, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup water or stock to the sautéed onion and garlic mixture.
  5. Step 5: Simmer the mixture until heated through.
  6. Step 6: Blend the mixture until smooth, adjusting salt to taste. (Tips: Use a blender or food processor for a smooth consistency.)

Pico de Gallo

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
2 Plum tomatoes chopped
1/2 Onion chopped
1/2 Jalapeno chopped
1 Lime juiced
15-20 sprigs Cilantro chopped
1/4 teaspoon Salt adjust to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse the vegetables thoroughly. (Tips: Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.)
  2. Step 2: Chop 2 plum tomatoes, 1/2 onion, 1/2 jalapeno, and 15-20 sprigs of cilantro. (Tips: Remove seeds from the jalapeno for less heat.)
  3. Step 3: Juice 1 lime and add to the vegetable mixture.
  4. Step 4: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. (Tips: Taste and adjust salt and lime juice as desired.)

Assembly

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
3-4 Bread rolls halved bolillos
1-2 cups Shredded cheese any melting cheese Mozzarella, Monterey Jack
optional Butter for coating rolls

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Step 2: Cut bread rolls in half and optionally coat with butter.
  3. Step 3: Bake bread rolls in the oven for a few minutes until they start to crisp. (Tips: This helps prevent sogginess when topping with beans.)
  4. Step 4: Spread a layer of bean puree onto each bread roll half. (Tips: Use a generous amount for full flavor.)
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over the beans. (Tips: Ensure cheese is evenly distributed for consistent melting.)
  6. Step 6: Bake for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  7. Step 7: Top with freshly made Pico de Gallo before serving. (Tips: Serve immediately for best taste.)

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 661kcal
  • Protein:
  • Fat:
  • Carbohydrates:
  • Fiber:
  • Sugar:

Additional Information

Notes: Smooshing the bread rolls makes them easier to work with. If they are too bready, remove some of the interior before adding toppings.

Background: Molletes have become a staple in Mexican cuisine due to their simplicity and versatility, often made with common ingredients that are readily available.

Geographic Region: Mexico

Seasonality: Year-round

Occasion: Casual meals, gatherings

Recommended Pairings

  • Lemonade
  • Mexican lager

Tags

Mexican Vegetarian Easy Quick Sandwich Main Dish Appetizer