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    Home » Pasta

    White Bean Aglio Olio

    Published: Apr 30, 2023 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    White bean aglio olio pasta is our take on classic spaghetti aglio olio. The beans add a wonderful flavor, superb nutrition, and a creamy texture to this delicious dish.

    You can make this simple recipe in the time it takes to cook the pasta with simple pantry staples. It's an excellent, tasty, and budget-friendly family dinner!

    Aglio olio with beans and a fork

    Check out our Easy Pasta Recipes

    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storage
    • More easy pasta recipes
    • Recipe

    Everyone knows spaghetti aglio e olio, a classic Italian pasta dish that's become an international sensation thanks to its simplicity and taste.

    Our white bean aglio olio is our take on this popular pasta dish. We think tender and creamy cannellini beans are superb with the tasty aglio e olio sauce.

    They add plenty of creaminess and a pleasant nutty flavor to this dish, and as a bonus, they improve its nutrition by adding healthy fiber and protein.

    Making it cannot be easier. All you have to do is toss a can of drained white beans in the aglio e olio sauce, add the pasta, et voilà.

    You've got a nutritious, creamy, tasty, and easy-to-make pasta recipe the whole family will love.

    Aglio olio with cannelini beans and chili

    Ingredients

    Aglio olio beans ingredients

    Pasta

    Pick your favorite pasta type. We like making white bean aglio olio with spaghetti, but any other shape will work fine.

    Garlic

    Use fresh garlic (garlic powder won't work) and chop it finely with a knife.

    Chilis or red pepper flakes

    You can use red pepper flakes or thinly sliced fresh chilis. Adjust the level of spiciness based on your preference.

    Parsley

    Go for Italian parsley or flat-leaf parsley for best results.

    White beans

    We recommend canned cannellini beans because they have thin skin and a mild flavor that goes perfectly with the aglio e olio sauce.

    Substitute any other type of white bean for cannellini.

    Salt

    You'll need salt for the sauce and the pasta water. We recommend sea salt.

    Aglio olio beans with parsley and chili

    Instructions

    Finely chop garlic, parsley, and chili (if you use red pepper flakes, you don't have to chop them).

    Warm up the olive oil in a large skillet, add garlic and chili, and fry them on low heat for 30 seconds.

    oil and chili in a skillet

    Add the chopped parsley, drained and rinsed cannellini beans, and cook them in the oil on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.

    Aglio olio and white beans in a skillet

    In the meantime, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water per package instructions minus 1 minute.

    cooking pasta in boiling water

    When the pasta is ready, reserve one cup of pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and add it to the pan with the sauce.

    Add one ladleful of reserve pasta water (or more if necessary), toss, and cook for a minute or until the pasta is al dente and thoroughly coated in the sauce.

    Aglio olio spaghetti with beans

    Serve immediately with a couple of spoonfuls of white bean aglio olio sauce on top.

    Aglio olio beans with a fork and chili

    Variations

    Spaghetti aglio e olio

    garlic and oil pasta aglio olio

    A classic dish that won't disappoint, made with olive oil, garlic, chilies, and parsley, is a weeknight dinner savior you can make in 15 minutes.

    Check out our spaghetti aglio olio recipe.

    Broccoli aglio olio

    garlic and oil pasta with broccoli (aglio olio and broccoli)

    Broccoli aglio olio is a quick, simple, and creamy dish made with the same sauce as above mixed with tender broccoli florets cooked in the same pot with the pasta.

    It's a beautiful way to add veggies to this delicious pasta dish.

    Check out our broccoli aglio olio recipe.

    Lemon spinach aglio olio

    aglio e olio with lemon flavor version

    Garlic, oil, chilies, spinach, and lemon are lovely together. Try this recipe for a simple and tasty weeknight dinner. It's ready in 20 minutes.

    Check out our lemon-spinach aglio e olio.

    Serving suggestions

    Serve this recipe with a simple vegetable side to make it a complete meal:

    • Avocado salad (cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, parsley, avocado, olive oil, etc.)
    • Tomato cucumber salad (cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, red onion, balsamic vinegar, etc.)
    • Arugula salad (red apple, walnuts, arugula, parmesan or vegan alternative, lemon, etc.)
    • Pear salad (arugula, orange wedges, pears, dried cranberries, ricotta or vegan ricotta, etc.)
    • Orange and fennel salad (fennel, pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, orange wedges, etc.)
    • Arugula salad with walnuts and red apple
      Arugula Salad
    • avocado salad
      Avocado Salad
    • pear salad with pear, orange and ricotta cheese
      Pear Salad
    • Tomato cucumber salad in a white bowl
      Cucumber Tomato Salad

    Or top the pasta with veggies:

    • Confit tomato (cherry tomatoes, sugar, olive oil, oregano, etc.)
    • Air fryer zucchini (paprika, garlic powder, zucchini, chili powder, olive oil, etc.)
    • Roasted eggplant (garlic, eggplant, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, etc.)
    • Sautéed kale (kale, olive oil, garlic, salt, etc.)
    • Sautéed mushrooms (mushrooms, olive oil, garlic, parsley, etc.)

    Storage

    Make ahead: this is not the best recipe to make ahead or use for meal prep, as the pasta is best right after it is cooked.

    Refrigerator: keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 36 hours. Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes or in a pan with a dash of water.

    Freezer: this recipe is not freezer friendly.

    More easy pasta recipes

    • Broccoli pasta (broccoli, orecchiette pasta, red pepper flakes, parmesan or vegan cheese, etc.)
    • Hummus pasta (hummus, sautéed mushrooms, rigatoni pasta, parsley, etc.)
    • Spaghetti Pomodoro (canned tomatoes, spaghetti, onion, parsley, olive oil, etc.)
    • Pasta alla Puttanesca (capers, olives, red pepper flakes, canned tomato, spaghetti, etc.)
    • Pasta e fagioli (kidney beans, pasta, canned tomato, onion, celery, carrot, rosemary, etc.)
    • hummus pasta in a white bowl
      Hummus Pasta
    • Pasta Puttanesca in a white bowl
      Pasta Puttanesca
    • pasta fagioli soup with spoon
      Pasta e Fagioli
    • broccoli pasta with fork
      Broccoli Pasta

    For many more pasta ideas, check out our pasta category page.

    Recipe

    aglio olio with chili and white beans

    White bean aglio olio

    Author: Nico
    White bean aglio olio pasta is our take on classic spaghetti aglio olio. The beans add a wonderful flavor, superb nutrition, and a creamy texture to this delicious dish.
    You can make this simple recipe in the time it takes to cook the pasta with simple pantry staples. It's an excellent, tasty, and budget-friendly family dinner!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 421 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    White bean aglio olio sauce

    • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 small red chili finely chopped, or 1 - 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes. Adjust to your liking.
    • 2 handfuls parsley finely chopped
    • 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Pasta

    • 12 ounces spaghetti
    • ¾ gallon boiling water to cook the pasta
    • 1½ tablespoon salt for the pasta water
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • Finely chop 3 cloves garlic, 2 handfuls parsley, and 1 small red chili (if you use red pepper flakes, you don't have to chop them).
      Warm up ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet, add garlic and chili, and fry them on low heat for 30 seconds.
      oil and chili in a skillet
    • Add the chopped parsley, 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans (drained and rinsed), ¼ teaspoon salt, and cook them in the oil on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.
      Aglio olio and white beans in a skillet
    • In the meantime, cook 12 ounces spaghetti in a large pot with ¾ gallon boiling water salted with 1½ tablespoon salt. Cook as per package instructions minus 1 minute.
      cooking pasta in boiling water
    • When the pasta is ready, reserve one cup of pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and add it to the pan with the sauce.
      Add one ladleful of reserve pasta water (or more if necessary), toss, and cook for a minute or until the pasta is al dente and thoroughly coated in the sauce.
      Aglio olio spaghetti with beans
    • Serve immediately with a couple of spoonfuls of white bean aglio olio sauce on top.
      Aglio olio with beans and fork

    Video Recipe

    White Bean Aglio e Olio

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of white bean aglio olio pasta out of 5 portions.
    VARIATIONS
    For more ideas on how to make aglio olio pasta, check out our variations chapter.
    STORAGE
    Make ahead: this is not the best recipe to make ahead or use for meal prep, as the pasta is best right after it is cooked.
    Refrigerator: keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 36 hours. Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes or in a pan with a dash of water.
    Freezer: this recipe is not freezer friendly.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    White bean aglio olio
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    421
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    15
    g
    23
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    11
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    197
    mg
    6
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    60
    g
    20
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    2
    g
    2
    %
    Protein
     
    12
    g
    24
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    221
    IU
    4
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.2
    mg
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    16
    mg
    19
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    2
    mg
    13
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    36
    µg
    34
    %
    Calcium
     
    50
    mg
    5
    %
    Folate
     
    17
    µg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    Manganese
     
    1
    mg
    50
    %
    Magnesium
     
    39
    mg
    10
    %
    Zinc
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you liked this pasta, you might also enjoy:

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      30 Easy Italian Recipes
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      30 Lazy Sunday Dinner Ideas
    • Vegetarian lunches
      35 Best Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
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