Description
A comforting and quick 30-minute Cheesy Tomato White Bean Bake combining fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, tender white beans, and a melty blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect as a hearty vegetarian main dish served with crusty bread or pasta, garnished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato and Bean Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the Tomato Sauce: Pour in the fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and stir well. Add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld.
- Add the White Beans: Stir in the drained white beans, mixing until they are well-coated with the tomato sauce. Continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the beans to absorb the flavors.
- Add Cheese & Bake: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the top of the bean and tomato mixture. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven broiler and broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese melts and develops golden brown spots.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve the bake hot alongside crusty bread, pasta, or a fresh green salad for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use fire-roasted tomatoes for added smoky flavor.
- Drain and rinse the beans to reduce sodium content and avoid mushiness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Broil cheese carefully to prevent burning—keep an eye on it.
- Oven-safe skillet is essential for transitioning from stovetop to broiler.
- For a vegan version, substitute cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Cheesy tomato bake, white bean recipe, vegetarian main dish, quick tomato casserole, fire-roasted tomatoes, mozzarella and Parmesan bake
