
Taco Bell's Pintos N Cheese is a side dish consisting of refried beans, red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), and a three-cheese blend. It has been a menu item since the 1960s, when it was originally sold as Frijoles. While some sources claimed that it was removed from the menu in 2019, it appears that as of 2022, it is still available for purchase through Taco Bell's website and app, and may have been added back to menus in certain locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability | Taco Bell's website, app, and some physical locations |
| Ingredients | Refried beans, red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), three-cheese blend (low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, cheddar, pasteurized process Monterey Jack and American cheese with peppers) |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| History | Originally sold as "Frijoles" in the 1960s, removed from the menu in 2019, re-added to the menu in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn

Pintos N Cheese is a Taco Bell side dish
Pintos N Cheese is a side dish available at Taco Bell. It is one of the original menu items, dating back to the 1960s when Taco Bell first opened. Originally sold as "Frijoles", it consists of refried beans, a red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), and a three-cheese blend. The three cheeses are low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, cheddar, and pasteurized process Monterey Jack and American cheese with peppers. The dish is certified vegan, and it is also vegetarian, though Taco Bell uses the same frying oil to prepare menu items that may contain meat, so cross-contact may occur.
While several sites reported the removal of Pintos N Cheese from the Taco Bell menu in 2019, this was not corroborated by any official Taco Bell press releases. In fact, some customers reported that they were still able to order it, even if it was not listed on the menu. In October 2022, it was officially added back to the menu, to the delight of many customers.
Some customers have expressed their desire for Taco Bell to offer a bean and cheese option on a flour tortilla. Pintos N Cheese is also a popular dip, and it used to be included in the Nachos BellGrande combo, alongside items like black olives and onions.
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It was originally sold as Frijoles
Taco Bell's Pintos N Cheese is a side dish consisting of refried beans, a red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), and a three-cheese blend. The dish was originally sold as "Frijoles" when it first appeared on the menu in the 1960s.
Over the years, there have been conflicting reports about whether or not Pintos N Cheese was removed from the menu. Some sources claim that it was removed in 2019, while others say that it remained available for order on Taco Bell's website and that it could still be ordered in person or through the drive-through, even if it wasn't officially listed on the menu.
In October 2022, there was excitement among Taco Bell fans as Pintos N Cheese was officially reinstated on the menu. Some customers had already been ordering it off-menu and having their orders fulfilled, but now it was back on the app and could be included in meal deals.
The return of Pintos N Cheese as an official menu item was highly anticipated by Taco Bell enthusiasts, with some even hoping for the return of other discontinued items, such as the Bellbeefer, Encharito, and Double Stuff Taco. The dish's absence from the menu for a period of time may have contributed to its status as a comfort food for some.
As a certified vegan and vegetarian option, Pintos N Cheese has a special place on the menu, offering a filling snack or side dish that meets specific dietary requirements. The dish's longevity on the menu, despite periods of uncertainty, underscores its popularity among Taco Bell's customer base.
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The dish consists of refried beans, red sauce, and a three-cheese blend
Taco Bell's Pintos N Cheese is a side dish that has been available since the 1960s. The dish consists of refried beans, red sauce, and a three-cheese blend.
The refried beans are made with pinto beans, soybean oil, and seasoning. The seasoning includes salt, sugar, spices, beet powder, natural flavours, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, corn flour, and trehalose. The red sauce is reported to be enchilada sauce, made with water, seasoning, and tomato powder. The three-cheese blend includes mozzarella, cheddar, and pepper jack cheese.
While there were reports of Pintos N Cheese being removed from the menu in 2019, it appears that it was still available to order on Taco Bell's website. As of October 2022, several people on Reddit have confirmed that Pintos N Cheese is officially back on the menu. Some users have also mentioned that they were able to order it even when it wasn't listed on the menu.
The dish is a popular comfort food for many and can be ordered as a side or added to other menu items. It is also certified vegan and vegetarian, making it a versatile option for customers with various dietary preferences.
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It was reportedly removed from the menu in 2019, but this is unconfirmed
Taco Bell's Pintos N Cheese is a side dish consisting of refried beans, a red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), and a three-cheese blend. It has been a menu item since the 1960s when it was originally sold as "Frijoles".
While several sources indicate that Pintos N Cheese was removed from the menu in 2019, this information remains unconfirmed. There are no official statements from Taco Bell regarding this change, and as of 2025, the item is still listed on their website.
Some customers have expressed confusion about the availability of Pintos N Cheese, with regional variations in its presence on physical and app menus. Despite this, many patrons continued to order it, and some locations still prepared the dish.
In October 2022, Taco Bell enthusiasts celebrated the "return" of Pintos N Cheese to the menu, indicating that it had been absent from the app for some time. However, it seems that even during this period, some customers were able to order it through other channels.
The availability of Pintos N Cheese at Taco Bell has fluctuated, but as of 2025, it appears to be a menu item once again, much to the delight of its fans.
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It is available to order on the Taco Bell website and app
Taco Bell's Pintos N Cheese is available to order on the Taco Bell website and app. The dish is a side that has been on the menu since the 1960s. It consists of refried beans, a red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), and a three-cheese blend of mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar.
Some customers have expressed confusion about the availability of Pintos N Cheese, with some reports suggesting it was removed from the menu in 2019. However, this doesn't seem to be the case, as Taco Bell's press releases and other reports do not corroborate this. Additionally, some customers have shared their experiences of ordering Pintos N Cheese through the drive-through or in-person, even if it wasn't listed on the menu or app.
The availability of Pintos N Cheese on the Taco Bell app seems to vary by region. While some customers reported that it was added to the app a few months ago, others claimed it was never removed from the menu in their area.
Despite some discrepancies in its availability, Pintos N Cheese remains a beloved item for many Taco Bell fans, with some even suggesting new menu items incorporating the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Taco Bell still serves pintos and cheese.
The dish consists of refried beans, a red sauce (reportedly enchilada sauce), and a three-cheese blend.
Yes, the American Vegetarian Association has certified the dish as vegetarian. However, it should be noted that Taco Bell uses the same frying oil to prepare vegetarian and meat items, so cross-contact may occur.
Yes, the dish is also certified vegan.
No, there were reports of its removal in 2019, but it has since been added back. It was originally sold as "Frijoles" when Taco Bell opened in the 1960s.






















