Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- 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.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- 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.
- Add beans: Stir in the drained cannellini beans and cook for 2–3 minutes to warm through and coat evenly with the sauce.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the bean and tomato mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add cheeses: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the dish.
- 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.
- 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
