Taco Bell Pintos N Cheese: Price, Calories & Nutrition 2026
Pintos N Cheese layers refried pinto beans with a red enchilada-style sauce, then tops it with a three-cheese blend, not the nacho cheese sauce used on the nachos and other sides. It is one of Taco Bell's five original menu items, on the chain's very first menu in the 1960s under the name Frijoles, which makes it older than the taco shells most people associate with the brand today.
One of Taco Bell's Five Original Items
Taco Bell opened with five menu items, and Pintos N Cheese was one of them, sold originally as Frijoles. That history is part of why the recipe reads differently from most of the newer menu: it is built from refried beans and a red sauce rather than the seasoned beef, lettuce, and tomato combination that defines most of the current menu. Several outlets reported it had been quietly discontinued in 2019, but Taco Bell never confirmed a removal, and it has stayed orderable at most locations since.
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow much does Pintos N Cheese cost?
It costs $2.49 in 2026. Prices may vary by location.
QHow many calories are in Pintos N Cheese?
It has 170 calories, 7g fat, 19g carbs, 9g protein.
QWhat is actually in Pintos N Cheese?
Refried pinto beans, a red enchilada-style sauce, and a three-cheese blend, not the nacho cheese sauce used elsewhere on the menu.
QIs Pintos N Cheese vegetarian?
Yes, it is fully vegetarian, no meat in the beans, sauce, or cheese blend.
QHow long has Pintos N Cheese been on the Taco Bell menu?
It is one of Taco Bell's five original menu items, dating back to the chain's founding in the 1960s. It was originally sold under the name Frijoles.
QHas Pintos N Cheese ever been discontinued?
Several reports claimed it was removed from the menu in 2019, but this was never confirmed by Taco Bell, and it has remained orderable since.
QIs Pintos N Cheese a good source of protein and fiber?
Yes, at 170 calories it delivers 9g of protein and 7g of fiber, making it one of the more filling low-calorie sides on the menu.