Description
Cheesy white bean tomato bake brings comfort straight from the Mediterranean right to your dinner table, warming hearts with its simple yet delicious blend of creamy beans, rich tomatoes, and melted cheese that makes weeknight cooking feel like a Mediterranean vacation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion
- 3 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Crank your oven to a sizzling 375°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in your finely chopped onion and dance it around for 5-6 minutes until it turns translucent.
- Drop minced garlic into the skillet and let it sizzle for exactly 1 minute, releasing its aromatic magic.
- Introduce 1 tablespoon tomato paste to the pan and stir for 1 minute to deepen the flavor profile.
- Pour in the entire 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
- Drain and rinse your two 15-ounce cans of white beans. Fold them gently into the tomato sauce and let everything bubble together for 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer the steaming bean and tomato mixture into your prepared baking dish.
- Blanket the top with 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the dish into your preheated 375°F oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly masterpiece.
- Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley across the top before serving.
Notes
- Drain white beans thoroughly to prevent excess liquid that could make the dish watery.
- Choose a high-quality mozzarella that melts smoothly for the best cheesy texture.
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference, so grab fresh basil or parsley right before serving for bright flavor.
- For a protein boost, sprinkle cooked crispy pancetta or crumbled sausage on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 12-14 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-38 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg