Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake Recipe (2024)

It’s so worth it in a recipe where beans are the major ingredient, to use dried beans instead of canned one. Dried beans have a lovely firm texture and great taste. Buy some dried beans, rinse and dump what you need for your recipe into big saucepan of cold water and let sit overnight. Drain the water, add fresh water and simmer until tender. If you find you have a few too many cooked beans, you can freeze the extra in baggies to add to soups, chili etc.

I doubled the tomato paste and garlic and added a chopped yellow onion, drained/chopped San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Delicious!

Would recommend upping the amount of tomato paste slightly to enhance the flavor!

This was very good. I did feel that it needed a brightness at the end as the mozz was a little too mellow for me. I added fresh rosemary and it was WOW! Other ideas to give it some oomph would be crushed red pepper or another cheese with some zing. Maybe asiago along with the mozz?

I made this with extra tomato paste and half cannelini half garbanzo beans. Divine. It took 15 min start to finish and was incredible. I ate more than half for dinner and stuck the whole cast iron in the fridge, then reheated on the stove with a splash of water and the lid on in the morning to eat with over medium eggs and toast. Lovely crust around the edges (the best part) and gooey cheese all through the top. A rare recipe that is easy, delicious, and uses things I always have in my pantry!

I added baby kale and rosemary. So delicious and quick!

After reading notes: added onion, grated carrot, diced celery, fresh baby spinach, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, rosemary & basil, full 6 oz can tomato paste, grated Parmesan, 3 links mild Italian sausage, crumbled and fried. It. Was. DeLICious!!

I’ve made this several times now. I don’t neccessarily think it’s worth it to start with dried beans because it’s such a great quick dinner. I’ve been adding a bunch of finely chopped kale or spinach and using a whole can of tomato paste. Don’t skimp on the salt/pepper and use good mozzarella and you won’t be short on flavor. A new fave!

This was a huge hit and a truly fast weeknight dinner. I skimmed over the notes here and incorporated a few reader suggestions: I quickly braised some kale to mix in, then included shallots with the garlic, used an entire 6-oz can of tomato paste, increased to 44 oz of beans, and topped with smoked mozzarella. Served with toasted country bread and some tapenade. My teenagers loved it and so did I.

We love this in our house, though - full disclosure - I've tweaked it pretty hard, doubling the amount of tomato paste, adding a little Gruyere to replace some mozz, adding 1/4 lb. cooked elbow macaroni, and, after baking, topping with arugula and a drizzle of olive oil, and putting it back in the oven for a few minutes to wilt. The original is certainly fine, but as noted in other reviews, a bit bland. The added tomato paste, Gruyere, and arugula add just enough to make it more interesting.

This recipe popped up just as I got home on a pollen filled, rainy, tornado warning in effect Friday here in Raleigh. A look at the notes & I was all in. I had the basic ingredients in the pantry, carrots and Fennel in the fridge. I sauteed Vidalia Onion, Fennel and chopped carrots, added Thyme and Oregano and a can each of diced tomato and paste, White Beans and Garbanzos. Topped with some fresh Parm and shredded Mozzarella. It browned up beautifully. Start to finish 30 minutes. Delicious

Great quick side dish for a cold night, very satisfying.Followed recipe to letter, next time I'll add some fresh rosemary.What was amazing was brunch using the leftovers on grilled bread with scrambled (or maybe over easy) eggs!! Thank you to the reader who posted that suggestion. Fabulous!!

I used 5T tomato paste and thought it had good flavor - definitely up the paste for more zing!

I made this for a Saturday night dinner. I actually used three cans of beans as well as three Italian sausage links that I crumbled and browned along with the garlic. I substituted Cabernet for the water (would have used Chianti but we were out) and threw in a couple handfuls of spinach. This is a good basic recipe that can be easily modified. Excellent leftovers.

I did this with a bit of butter in the olive oil. The little bit of browned butter taste that comes through really lights this up!

It needed something, so I added sliced pepperoni on top -- sort of a bean pizza. I was happy with the result!

Based on the other suggestions, I upped the amount of tomato paste and added rosemary and also bit of fresh sage. I also used Trader Joe’s Italian cheese mix “Quattro Formaggio” because I had it on hand. This was pretty delicious. My 13-year-old son’s eyes were rolling back in his head while he scooped it up. He requested it again later this week

Added way more tomato paste since other people recommended. Would add even more next time. And maybe some other spices/herbs. Sun dried tomatoes would also be good.

This is good as is, but even better with some sun-dried tomatoes added in.

Used about half the oil, Added an extra tablespoon of tomato paste, fresh thyme and used a full cup of water (my beans were dried and soaked vs canned.) replaced mozzarella with Parmesan.

Soooo good nothing left for tomorrow. :)

In addition to herbs mentioned by above- I add red pepper flakes to the garlic before adding tomato paste, and add sharp cheddar with the mozzarella for some extra spicy and bite.

Added kale and cherry tomatoes. Delicious!

Added shallots, Doubled/tripled water, added very Al dente pasta, basil, Parmesan cheese,

Great exactly as written. And all of the suggestions are great too. I read the notes and “increase the vinegar” hold on! (It was in the oven), how did I miss the vinegar/onion/rosemary. Oh. They’re not there! So far we’ve added rosemary and it was even greater. And. Wonder of wonders, especially if you use the frozen garlic, it takes close to 15 minutes!

Yes. Addd rosemary. Double tomato

Double the garlic and tomato paste. Add onions or shallots with garlic. Then add herbs: oregano, basil, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes Then tomato pasteBake for 5 min, then broil

Followed the recipe and it was perfect.

I did what Mrs_Garver suggested:doubled the tomato paste and garlic and added a chopped yellow onion, drained/chopped San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. I also added 4 sweet Italian sausages, and would add 6 next time. I used some of the leftovers in a chicken quesadilla, with fresh small diced onions and halved an assortment of different colored "cherry" tomatoes.

try adding panko bread as an even layer on top then add the cheese! It adds nice crunch. I also double the garlic & tomato paste, add oregano, crushed red pepper and tabasco. I use parmesan, and provolone and tiny bit of mozzarella