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–+ servings
Skillet of pizza beans with melted cheese for an easy weeknight recipe.

Pizza Beans (Healthy Comfort Food Dinner)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Nico Pallotta

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 pints (600 g) cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste + black pepper
  • 2 cans cannellini beans 15 oz / 400 g each can - drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (250 ml) broth vegetable or chicken
  • 1 fresh ball mozzarella torn into chunks (about 7-8 oz or 200 g) or shredded mozzarella
  • ⅓ cup (30 g) grated parmesan
  • 1 handful fresh basil
  • 4 slices crusty bread toasted, for serving

  • Blister the tomatoes: Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
    Add 2 pints cherry tomatoes (halved) and cook about 5 minutes, until the skins start to blister. Stir in 2 cloves garlic (grated), 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
    Step 1 Blistering cherry tomatoes in skillet with garlic and oregano for pizza beans.
  • Add beans and simmer: Stir in 2 cans cannellini beans (drained and rinsed) and 1 cup broth. Mix well, bring to a simmer, and cook 10 minutes. The tomatoes should soften, and the sauce will thicken.
    Step 2 Simmering cannellini beans and tomatoes together to create a rich saucy base.
  • Add cheese and broil: Turn on your oven broiler. Top the skillet with 1 fresh ball mozzarella torn into chunks, and ⅓ cup grated parmesan. Broil 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden in spots.
    Step 3 Mozzarella and parmesan before melting under broiler on top of saucy beans in oven safe skillet.
  • Finish and serve: Remove from the oven and add 1 handful fresh basil on top. Serve warm with 4 slices crusty bread to scoop up the saucy beans and melted cheese.
    Step 4 Pizza beans with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese in a skillet.
Substitutions
  • Extra virgin olive oil → avocado oil, light olive oil
  • Cherry tomatoes → marinara sauce, canned diced, crushed, or whole peeled tomatoes
  • Garlic → garlic powder, roasted garlic
  • Tomato paste → tomato passata, marinara sauce
  • Dried oregano → Italian seasoning, dried basil
  • Cannellini beans → great northern beans, butter beans, chickpeas
  • Vegetable broth → water + pinch of salt, chicken broth
  • Mozzarella → provolone, fontina, dairy-free mozzarella
  • Parmesan → pecorino Romano
  • Fresh basil → fresh oregano, basil pesto
  • Crusty bread → whole grain toast, warm pita
Tips
  • Blister the tomatoes well: Let them cook undisturbed to build deep, sweet flavor.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet: Seamlessly go from stovetop to broiler for easy, one-pot cleanup.
  • Brown the tomato paste: A quick cook boosts richness and adds slow-simmered depth.
  • Adjust the sauce: Splash in broth or water if it thickens too much.
  • Tear the mozzarella: Irregular pieces melt into a gorgeous bubbly top.
  • Watch the broiler: Cheese browns fast—stay close in the final minutes.
  • Serve with great bread: Makes the meal hearty, satisfying, and budget-friendly.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
 
 
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