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Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 28 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Broiling
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A comforting and flavorful Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake featuring tender cannellini beans simmered in a rich tomato paste sauce with garlic, shallots, and aromatic herbs, topped with melted smoked gouda and Parmesan cheese, and finished under the broiler for a golden crust. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner served with crusty French bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 small shallots (or 1 large shallot)
  • 1 (6 ounce can) high quality tomato paste (Cento brand recommended)

Seasonings & Herbs

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 1/4 teaspoon table salt)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped fine) or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Main Ingredients

  • 3 (15-ounce) cans white beans (cannellini), partially drained but not rinsed
  • 3/4 cup water

Cheeses

  • 2 cups smoked gouda (or mozzarella cheese), grated
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan, finely shredded

Serving

  • Crusty French bread (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep your veggies: Thinly slice 5 cloves of garlic and 2 small shallots (or chop if preferred) to prepare for sautéing.
  2. Preheat skillet: Heat a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron recommended) over medium heat for about 1 minute to get it hot.
  3. Cook shallots: Add 1/4 cup olive oil to the skillet. When the oil shimmers, add the sliced shallots and sauté them for 3 minutes until softened.
  4. Add garlic: Add the sliced garlic to the skillet with the shallots and sauté for about 60 seconds, until fragrant and just starting to brown lightly.
  5. Add tomato paste: Stir in the 6-ounce can of tomato paste, spreading it evenly in the pan to combine with the sautéed ingredients.
  6. Season sauce: Add 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper to the pan. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes to develop the flavors.
  7. Prepare beans: Open the 3 cans of white beans, partially drain them by tipping cans upside down over the sink a couple of times without rinsing, and add all beans with some liquid to the pan.
  8. Add water and simmer: Pour in 3/4 cup water. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer with small bubbles. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook gently for about 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
  9. Add rosemary: Turn off the stove and remove the pan from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary.
  10. Taste and adjust: Give the bean mixture a taste and adjust seasonings if necessary to your preference.
  11. Add cheeses: Sprinkle 2 cups of grated smoked gouda evenly over the top of the beans, followed by 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese.
  12. Preheat broiler: Set your oven broiler to high and position the oven rack a few inches below the heating element to prepare for melting cheese.
  13. Broil cheese: Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes. Monitor closely after 2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to prevent burning, until the cheese is melted and browned in spots.
  14. Serve: Remove from oven and serve the cheesy white bean tomato bake hot with crusty French bread on the side.
  15. Storage: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, then re-broil to refresh the cheese topping before serving.
  16. Freezing: Freeze cooled leftovers in a ziplock bag for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat gently on the stove adding water if thick, then re-broil with additional cheese to serve.

Notes

  • Use a high-quality tomato paste such as Cento for the best flavor.
  • Partially draining the beans (not rinsing) preserves flavor and texture in the dish.
  • Smoked gouda adds a rich, smoky taste; mozzarella can be substituted for a milder flavor.
  • Watch the broiler carefully to avoid burning the cheese topping.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty French bread to soak up the sauce.
  • Leftovers freeze well and can be refreshed with added cheese and broiling before serving again.

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Find it online: https://quickhomedishes.com/cheesy-white-bean-tomato-bake-recipe/