Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe
This comforting and easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake combines tender cannellini beans with a flavorful tomato sauce, aromatic herbs, and a luscious cheesy topping. Perfect as a hearty vegetarian main or a satisfying side dish, it’s simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
- 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
Cheese Topping
- 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (150g)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant to enhance the flavor base.
- Simmer Tomato Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Beans: Stir in the drained cannellini beans and cook for 2–3 more minutes allowing the beans to heat through and absorb the sauce.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the bean and tomato mixture to a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the dish sit for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cannellini beans with great northern beans or navy beans if preferred.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes when simmering the tomato sauce.
- If you want a crispier cheese topping, broil the bake for the last 2 minutes—just watch carefully to avoid burning.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or crusty bread.
- Make sure to drain and rinse canned beans well to reduce sodium content.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: white bean bake, cheesy bean casserole, vegetarian baked dish, Italian comfort food, tomato bean bake, easy vegetarian dinner
