Black Bean and Cheese Skillet Melt

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Heat Oil and Sauté Garlic

Place a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and pour in 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the peeled and sliced garlic cloves, frying them for about one minute until they turn lightly golden and release their aroma.

3. Add Tomato Paste and Spices

Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, red-pepper flakes, and ground cumin. Fry these spices with the garlic for about 30 seconds, making sure to adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning the spices.

4. Add Black Beans and Water

Add the drained and rinsed black beans to the skillet, followed by the 1/2 cup of boiling water. Stir everything together, allowing the beans to soak up the flavors. Season the mixture with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

5. Add Cheese and Bake

Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the bean mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a browned, crispy cheese topping, you can run the skillet under the broiler for an additional 1 or 2 minutes.

6. Serve

Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and serve the dish immediately. Enjoy your Black Bean and Cheese Skillet Melt hot from the oven.