Pintos N Cheese
Pintos N Cheese
Pintos N Cheese is a warm Taco Bell side made with seasoned refried beans, Red Sauce, and a three-cheese blend. It is simple, creamy, savory, and filling, which makes it a strong choice when you want a vegetarian side that feels more substantial than chips or a sauce cup.
This side works well on its own, but it also pairs nicely with tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and vegetarian menu items. You can compare more sides, prices, calories, ingredients, and menu pairings on our taco bell menu.
Quick Overview: Pintos N Cheese includes seasoned refried beans, Red Sauce, and a three-cheese blend. One order has 170 calories, 6g total fat, 19g total carbohydrates, 7g dietary fiber, 9g protein, and 680mg sodium.
What Comes in Pintos N Cheese?
Pintos N Cheese keeps the build simple but flavorful. The refried beans create the warm, creamy base. Red Sauce adds tomato-style tang and seasoning. The three-cheese blend adds a mild, melty, dairy-rich finish that makes the side feel complete.
| Included Ingredient | What It Adds | Flavor / Texture Role |
|---|---|---|
| Seasoned Refried Beans | Main base of the side | Warm, creamy, savory, and filling |
| Red Sauce | Tomato-style seasoned sauce | Tangy, saucy, and lightly spiced |
| Three-Cheese Blend | Mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey Jack/American cheese blend with peppers | Melty, creamy, salty, and mild |
Nutrition Facts
Pintos N Cheese is listed at 170 calories per order. It brings 9g of protein and 7g of dietary fiber, which makes it more filling than many smaller sides. The main number to watch is sodium, with 680mg per order.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value | Simple Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 | - | Per 1 order serving |
| Total Fat | 6g | 8% | Moderate for a bean-and-cheese side |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% | Mainly from the cheese blend |
| Trans Fat | 0g | - | No trans fat listed |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% | Small amount from cheese |
| Sodium | 680mg | 30% | The biggest nutrition number to watch |
| Total Carbohydrates | 19g | 7% | Mostly from the beans and sauce |
| Dietary Fiber | 7g | 25% | A strong fiber amount for a small side |
| Sugars | 1g | - | Low sugar amount |
| Includes Added Sugars | <1g | 0% | Very small added sugar amount |
| Protein | 9g | - | Helpful protein contribution for a vegetarian side |
| Vitamin D | 3.1mcg | 15% | Notable Vitamin D contribution |
| Calcium | 120mg | 10% | Comes largely from the cheese blend |
| Iron | 1.4mg | 8% | Beans help support the iron amount |
| Potassium | 360mg | 8% | A useful potassium contribution from the bean base |
Nutrition changes when Pintos N Cheese is customized with extra toppings, sauces, meat, potatoes, rice, or other add-ons. A 2,000-calorie daily diet is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredient Details
Pintos N Cheese is built with seasoned refried beans, Red Sauce, and three-cheese blend. The beans are made with pinto beans, soybean oil, and seasoning. The Red Sauce adds water, tomato powder, paprika, spices, onion powder, and other seasoning ingredients. The cheese blend includes mozzarella, cheddar, and pasteurized process Monterey Jack and American cheese with peppers.
| Component | Main Ingredients | Dietary Note |
|---|---|---|
| Seasoned Refried Beans | Pinto beans, soybean oil, and seasoning with salt, sugar, spice, beet powder, natural flavors, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, corn flour, trehalose, and modified cornstarch | Certified vegan component |
| Red Sauce | Water and seasoning with maltodextrin, modified corn starch, paprika, salt, tomato powder, spices, natural flavors, onion powder, xanthan gum, malic acid, vitamin C, citric acid, and torula yeast | Certified vegan component |
| Three-Cheese Blend | Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, cheddar, and pasteurized process Monterey Jack and American cheese with peppers | Contains milk; certified vegetarian component |
| Anti-Caking Ingredients | Potato starch, cornstarch, and powdered cellulose | Helps the shredded cheese blend stay separated and consistent |
Allergen Information
Pintos N Cheese contains milk from the three-cheese blend. Gluten, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, MSG, and sesame are not marked as direct allergens in the standard allergen panel. The seasoned refried beans ingredient line includes soybean oil, so soy-sensitive customers should confirm current allergen guidance before ordering.
| Allergen | Status | Simple Note |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Present | Milk is present in the three-cheese blend |
| Gluten | Not listed | No gluten allergen callout for the standard item |
| Eggs | Not listed | No egg ingredient marked for the standard item |
| Fish / Shellfish | Not listed | No seafood ingredient marked for the standard item |
| Tree Nuts / Peanuts | Not listed | No nut ingredient marked for the standard item |
| Wheat | Not listed | No wheat allergen callout for the standard item |
| Soy | Check before ordering | Soy is not marked in the allergen panel, but soybean oil appears in the seasoned refried beans ingredient line |
| MSG / Sesame | Not listed | No MSG or sesame allergen callout for the standard item |
Taco Bell prepares menu items in shared restaurant areas. Guests with serious allergies should confirm current allergen details before ordering.
Make It Your Own
Pintos N Cheese can be customized if you want it richer, spicier, fresher, or more filling. The simplest upgrade is Make It Supreme, which adds a more complete Taco Bell-style finish without adding listed calories in the customization panel.
| Customization | Added Price | Calories Added | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make It Supreme | +$0.90 | Adds 0 Cal | A more loaded, finished side experience |
Popular Upgrades
These upgrades are the fastest way to change the flavor of Pintos N Cheese. Jalapeño peppers add heat, Reduced-Fat Sour Cream adds cool creaminess, and Nacho Cheese Sauce makes the side richer and cheesier.
| Popular Upgrade | Added Price | Calories Added | Why Add It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalapeño Peppers | +$0.65 | Adds 5 Cal | Adds a bright pepper kick |
| Reduced-Fat Sour Cream | +$0.90 | Adds 20 Cal | Cools the red sauce and adds creaminess |
| Nacho Cheese Sauce | +$1.00 | Adds 30 Cal | Makes the side warmer, richer, and cheesier |
Add-Ons and Extras
Pintos N Cheese can be turned into a more filling bowl-style side with extras like potatoes, black beans, seasoned rice, chicken, steak, or seasoned beef. Fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, pico de gallo, and purple cabbage add more texture without much calorie impact.
| Add-On | Added Price | Calories Added | Flavor / Texture Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese | +$0.75 | Adds 25 Cal | More cheesy flavor |
| Lettuce | +$0.60 | Adds 0 Cal | Fresh crunch |
| Tomatoes | +$0.80 | Adds 0 Cal | Juicy freshness |
| Pico De Gallo | +$0.80 | Adds 0 Cal | Bright, fresh-style topping |
| Jalapeño Peppers | +$0.65 | Adds 5 Cal | Mild heat and pepper bite |
| Potatoes | +$0.95 | Adds 100 Cal | Makes it heartier and more filling |
| Black Beans | +$0.45 | Adds 100 Cal | Adds extra beans and texture |
| Chicken | +$1.50 | Adds 45 Cal | Adds lean protein |
| Seasoned Beef | +$1.00 | Adds 70 Cal | Adds classic Taco Bell beef flavor |
| Seasoned Rice | +$0.60 | Adds 50 Cal | Adds soft texture and volume |
| Steak | +$1.70 | Adds 60 Cal | Adds a premium protein layer |
| Slow-Roasted Chicken | +$1.70 | Adds 60 Cal | Adds tender chicken flavor |
| Seasoned Fries | +$0.60 | Adds 120 Cal | Adds salty potato texture |
| Fiesta Strips | +$0.50 | Adds 80 Cal | Adds crunch |
| Purple Cabbage | +$0.60 | Adds 0 Cal | Adds color and crisp texture |
Sauce Options
The standard item already includes Red Sauce, but extra sauces can change the whole direction of the side. Nacho Cheese Sauce makes it richer, Guacamole adds avocado creaminess, and Creamy Jalapeño Sauce or Spicy Ranch adds a bolder creamy kick.
| Sauce | Added Price | Calories Added | Best Flavor Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced-Fat Sour Cream | +$0.90 | Adds 20 Cal | Cool, creamy balance |
| Spicy Ranch | +$0.70 | Adds 70 Cal | Creamy heat |
| Nacho Cheese Sauce | +$1.00 | Adds 30 Cal | Warm cheesy richness |
| Guacamole | +$1.15 | Adds 40 Cal | Avocado creaminess |
| Creamy Jalapeño Sauce | +$0.70 | Adds 60 Cal | Creamy jalapeño flavor |
| Avocado Ranch Sauce | +$0.65 | Adds 70 Cal | Creamy ranch-style finish |
| Mexican Pizza Sauce | +$0.30 | Adds 10 Cal | Tomato-style sauciness |
| Chipotle Sauce | +$0.65 | Adds 70 Cal | Smoky creamy flavor |
You Might Also Like
If you like Pintos N Cheese, these items keep the same warm, bean-forward, cheesy, or vegetarian-friendly feel.
| Recommended Item | Listed Price | Calories | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Beans and Rice | $2.99 | 160 Cal | A simple vegetarian side with beans and rice |
| Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito | $1.49 | 400 Cal | Warm beans, rice, and cheese in burrito form |
| Bean Burrito | $1.99 | 360 Cal | A classic bean-based Taco Bell item |
| Cheesy Roll Up | $1.39 | 170 Cal | A small warm cheese item with the same calorie count |
Best Pintos N Cheese Ordering Ideas
Keep it simple when you want a warm vegetarian side with beans, red sauce, and cheese. Add jalapeño peppers for heat, Reduced-Fat Sour Cream for a cooler bite, or Nacho Cheese Sauce for extra richness. For a more filling side, add potatoes, rice, black beans, or a protein.
Pintos N Cheese FAQs
How many calories are in Taco Bell Pintos N Cheese?
Pintos N Cheese has 170 calories per order.
What comes in Pintos N Cheese?
It includes seasoned refried beans, Red Sauce, and a three-cheese blend.
Is Pintos N Cheese vegetarian?
Yes. Pintos N Cheese is marked as an American Vegetarian Association certified vegetarian item.
Is Pintos N Cheese vegan?
No. The refried beans and Red Sauce are certified vegan components, but the item includes three-cheese blend, which contains milk.
Does Pintos N Cheese contain dairy?
Yes. It contains milk from the three-cheese blend.
What are the best upgrades for Pintos N Cheese?
Popular upgrades include jalapeño peppers, Reduced-Fat Sour Cream, and Nacho Cheese Sauce.
Final Thoughts
Pintos N Cheese is a warm, simple, and satisfying Taco Bell side made with seasoned refried beans, Red Sauce, and three-cheese blend. At 170 calories, it offers 9g of protein and 7g of fiber, making it a useful vegetarian-friendly choice when you want something creamy, savory, and filling.
For more Taco Bell prices, calories, ingredients, sides, allergens, and menu comparisons, visit our menu page.
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