Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe
This Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake combines creamy cannellini beans with savory tomatoes and melted cheese to create a hearty and satisfying baked dish perfect for a simple dinner or side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- 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
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant to release its aroma and flavor.
- Simmer Tomatoes and Herbs: 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 and rinsed cannellini beans and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the tomato and bean mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the bake to sit for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the tomato simmer step for a mild kick.
- Use fresh herbs if available, substituting them for dried herbs in a 1:3 ratio (e.g., 1½ teaspoons fresh oregano).
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: cheesy white bean bake, easy tomato bean casserole, baked cannellini beans, vegetarian Italian casserole, mozzarella Parmesan bake
