Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe
This Comforting and Easy Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake is a hearty and flavorful vegetarian casserole combining creamy cannellini beans with a rich tomato sauce, savory herbs, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect as a warming main or side dish, it’s simple to prepare and bakes to bubbling, golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Beans and Tomato Sauce
- 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
Cheeses
- 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (150g)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the casserole.
- Sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent, developing a sweet flavor base.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer tomato sauce: Pour in crushed tomatoes, then add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors well.
- Add beans: Stir the drained and rinsed cannellini beans into the tomato sauce. Cook together for 2–3 minutes so the beans absorb some of the sauce and flavor.
- Assemble the bake: Transfer the bean and tomato mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and turns golden brown on top.
- Rest and garnish: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes to settle. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use great northern or navy beans as substitutes if cannellini beans are unavailable.
- Adding a breadcrumb topping before baking will give the dish a satisfying crunchy texture.
- To add heat, mix in red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the tomato sauce.
- Make it vegan by swapping the mozzarella and Parmesan for dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- This bake pairs wonderfully with a green salad, crusty bread, or poached eggs for a complete meal.
Keywords: white bean bake, cheesy bean casserole, vegetarian Italian bake, easy comfort food, tomato bean bake
