Pizza Beans (Cheesy Tomato White Bean Bake) Recipe
Make a cozy casserole that's healthy, delicious, and easy: Pizza Beans! You could also call it Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake because it includes 3 basic ingredients: cheese, white beans, and tomato sauce. They are thrown into a pan and baked together. The result is a wonderfully easy dish that is saucy, stewy, and tastes like pizza. Serve with crusty bread for a simple vegetarian dish and all the flavors of your favorite pizza!
Servings: 4 as main dish
Calories: 242kcal
Equipment
- Oven proof skillet *cast iron skillet, stainless steel pan, or shallow braiser
- Potato Masher *for smashing the canned tomatoes
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1.5 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning *or 2 tsp dried oregano + 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 28 ounces/ 796 ml canned whole tomatoes *San Marzano or Mutti brands recommended
- 1 19 ounces/ 540 ml canned white beans *navy beans or butter beans preferred (northern beans or cannellini beans also work well)
- 2 1/2 cups/180 grams mozzarella cheese
Toppings (optional)
- 2 Tbsp olives, chopped
- 2 Tbsp giardiniera, chopped *Italian pickled vegetables
Garnish
- 1-2 Tbsp fresh basil + parsley, chopped
- 1 Tbsp parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make tomato sauce. In an oven proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook until softened and slightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Lower the heat if the color darkens too much. Add the canned tomatoes. Using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon, break up the tomatoes into small pieces. Be careful, as juice from the tomatoes can spurt out. Add the Italian seasoning and crushed chili flakes. Season with salt and black pepper. Give everything a good mix.
- Add white beans. Add the drained, rinsed beans to the tomato sauce. Stir until well combined. When everything is bubbling, lower heat to medium low. Cook, uncovered, until all the flavors have melded together, about 20-25 minutes. The mixture should bubble at a gentle simmer. From time to time, stir to make sure the beans are not sticking to the bottom of the pan. If the sauce reduces too much and looks dry, add a splash of water and cover with the lid. Preheat the oven. While the tomato white bean mixture cooks, preheat the oven to 400F/ 204C.
- Bake. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top. Add olives, chopped Giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables), and any other topping. Transfer to the oven and bake until the tomato sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and gooey, about 10-12 minutes.
- Garnish. Remove the Pizza Beans from the oven. Garnish with a generous amount of fresh Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and basil evenly over the top.
- Serve. Serve immediately, preferably with crusty bread or garlic bread. If you like, divide the Pizza Beans into 4 portions. Or, serve the pan directly at the table to be enjoyed family style. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
PRO Tips:
- Make it vegan. To make plant-based Pizza Beans, swap the mozzarella with dairy-free cheese.
- Make it meaty. For a meaty version, add 1-2 Italian sausage. Remove the casings and brown in the pan before adding the onion. Make sure to top with pepperoni, too.
- Add leafy greens. For more vegetal goodness, add your favorite leafy greens to the tomato sauce. Spinach, kale, and even broccoli rabe are all good additions. They will add color, fiber, flavor, and added nutrition.
- Make ahead for meal prep. Make once and divide into 4 portions for meal prep. To make it easier, divide the portions into 4 individual-sized, oven proof ramekins and cover with plastic wrap. When it's time to eat, bake one individual portion in the oven (or air fryer) for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 422mg | Potassium: 769mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 272IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 5mg