Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe
This Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake is a warm, hearty dish perfect for a satisfying meal. Featuring tender cannellini beans simmered with aromatic garlic, onions, and herbs, then topped with bubbly melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, it combines simple pantry ingredients into a cozy casserole that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- 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)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent, building the flavor base for the dish.
- Cook Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Incorporate Beans: Stir in the drained cannellini beans and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes allowing them to heat through and absorb some of the tomato and herb flavors.
- Transfer and Top: Transfer the bean and tomato mixture to a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese 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 brown on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the bake sit for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- You can substitute cannellini beans with great northern or navy beans if preferred.
- Using fresh mozzarella instead of shredded will give a creamier texture but may require slightly longer baking time.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra 5 minutes to the baking time if cold.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: white bean bake, cheesy casserole, cannellini beans, tomato bake, easy vegetarian dinner, baked bean casserole, comfort food recipe, mozzarella cheese bake
