Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe

Introduction

This comforting and easy cheesy white bean tomato bake combines tender cannellini beans with a flavorful tomato sauce and melted cheese for a hearty, satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s simple to prepare and full of cozy flavors that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz / 425g) crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (150g)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Step 5: Stir in the drained cannellini beans and cook for 2–3 more minutes to heat through.
6. Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let it rest a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a different aromatic twist.
• For a vegan version, substitute dairy cheese with plant-based cheese alternatives.
• Add a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce if you like a bit of heat.
• This bake pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through or microwave on medium power in short bursts, stirring occasionally to heat evenly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of beans in this recipe?

Yes, navy beans or great northern beans can be good substitutes if you don’t have cannellini beans on hand. Just make sure to drain and rinse them before using.

How do I prevent the cheese from over-browning?

If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil partway through baking to protect the top while the dish finishes heating.

Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 770 reviews

This comforting and easy cheesy white bean tomato bake features a savory blend of sautéed onions, garlic, cannellini beans, and crushed tomatoes, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s a hearty and delicious vegetarian dish perfect for a cozy dinner, offering a satisfying combination of creamy beans and savory tomato sauce baked to golden perfection.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz / 425g) crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (150g)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)

Garnish

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
2. Sauté the onion: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Simmer the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Add beans: Stir in the drained cannellini beans and cook for 2–3 minutes to warm through and coat evenly with the sauce.
6. Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the bean and tomato mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
7. Add cheeses: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the dish.
8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
9. Rest and garnish: Remove from the oven and let the dish sit for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and serving.

Notes

• You can substitute cannellini beans with great northern beans if preferred.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the simmer step.
• This dish pairs well with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: cheesy white bean bake, vegetarian white bean casserole, tomato bean bake, easy vegetarian dinner, cannellini beans recipe, baked mozzarella dish