Description
A hearty and flavorful Pizza Beans Skillet featuring tender cannellini beans simmered in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and finished under the broiler for a bubbly, golden crust. This easy one-pan recipe combines comforting Italian flavors in a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Sauce Base
- 1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp. kosher salt (or more)
- 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar (optional)
Beans and Cheese
- 2 (14.5-oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Pour the canned whole tomatoes and their juices into a large bowl. Using clean hands, tear the tomatoes into roughly 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside for later use.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomato Paste: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until it darkens and begins to stick to the bottom of the skillet, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the prepared tomatoes, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly—this will take about 10 to 15 minutes. Taste the sauce and add the optional granulated sugar if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
- Add Beans and Heat Through: Stir in the rinsed and drained cannellini beans. Cook the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt if needed.
- Broil with Cheese: Preheat the broiler to high. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the bean and tomato mixture in the skillet. Place the skillet under the broiler and broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and top with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet to transition easily from stovetop to broiler.
- You can substitute cannellini beans with any white beans or great northern beans if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit for milder flavor.
- Fresh basil leaves add a bright, fresh finish but can be substituted with dried basil if unavailable.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pizza beans skillet, cannellini beans recipes, vegetarian skillet, Italian skillet dishes, quick dinner recipe, tomato bean skillet
