Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Beans)

This Gigantes Plaki (Greek baked beans) recipe gives you a simple, comforting one-pan dinner made with pantry beans, tomatoes, olive oil, and feta cheese—easy to make, deeply satisfying, and perfect for a cozy, healthy weeknight meal.

For more easy Greek dinners, check out our Greek cauliflower bowl, Greek pasta salad, Greek chickpea soup, and Greek bean salad.

Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.

• Extra virgin olive oil: adds richness and classic Mediterranean flavor. You can use regular olive oil if needed.
• Butter beans (gigantes): traditionally made with Greek gigante beans, which are hard to find in regular supermarkets. The best substitute is butter beans. Use canned for a quick 30-minute meal, or dried beans cooked ahead until tender. Cannellini beans or other white beans work well too.
• Onion: builds a sweet, savory base. Yellow or white onions are best, but a shallot also works.
• Carrots: add natural sweetness and body to the sauce. Swap with finely chopped bell pepper if that’s what you have.
• Celery: gives balance and depth. If you’re out, a small pinch of fennel seeds adds a similar background note.
• Garlic: brings warmth and aroma. Use fresh cloves, or a little garlic paste in a pinch.
• Tomato paste: deepens the flavor of these baked beans with tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes cooked a bit longer can substitute.
• Crushed tomatoes: create a saucy, comforting base. Whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand, work just as well.
• Vegetable broth: keeps the dish moist while baking. Water with a pinch of salt is fine too.
• Dried oregano: classic and earthy. Thyme or Italian seasoning are good alternatives.
• Bay leaf: adds subtle depth. Leave it out if you don’t have one.
• Eggs (optional): turn the dish into a complete meal. You can skip them and serve with bread instead.
• Feta cheese: salty and creamy on top. Try ricotta salata or a plant-based feta if needed.
• Fresh parsley: optional, it adds a herby freshness that’s welcome in this dish.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until soft and fragrant.

If your skillet is not oven-safe, you’ll transfer everything to a baking dish later.

Step 2: Build the flavor

Stir in the garlic, oregano, tomato paste, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens slightly and smells rich.

Add the butter beans, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
Stir gently to combine.

If needed, transfer everything to a baking dish.
Bake uncovered at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens and bubbles around the edges.
This turns the dish into a comforting one pan vegetarian dinner.

Step 4: Finish and serve

Remove the bay leaf.
Top with parsley and crumbled feta.

Serve warm with crusty bread for dipping.
It’s a simple, satisfying healthy bean dinner that feels filling without being heavy.

Variation: Add Eggs

If you’d like to turn this into an even more fulfilling meal, baked eggs are an easy option.

Remove the beans from the oven.
Use a spoon to make 4 small wells in the beans.
Crack one egg into each space.

Return to the oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, until the egg whites are set and the yolks are still soft.

Serve right away with crumbled feta, parsley, and crusty bread.

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If you try this Gigantes Plaki Recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments—we love hearing from you.