Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

AKA Pizza beans! The first time I heard of this dish I had to make it. I didn't even look up a recipe, just threw together beans and "pizza flavors" into a skillet, melted some cheese on top, and said "Mmmmmm" for 5 minutes straight! This cheesy white bean tomato bake is made with simple ingredients like beans, mozzarella cheese, tomato paste, and not much more! It's kind of ridiculous how satisfying this meal is.

Prepare a quick, budget-friendly meal in 30 minutes with these amazing gluten-free pizza beans. Easily customizable to fit everyone's preferences, they are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. You can eat these cheesy beans as-is, or with crusty bread for an even heartier meal. Serve to a crowd with plain kettle chips for a great gluten-free party platter.

Read on for all the loving details to make cheesy white bean and tomato bake.

Jump to:

• Featured Ingredients
• Tools for the job
• How to make a cheesy white bean tomato bake
• Substitutions and Variations
• Leftover cheesy white bean tomato bake
• Food safety
• More cheesy recipes
• More bean recipes
• Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake
• 💬 Comments

Tools for the job

• Measuring cup and spoons
• Sharp knife (paid link) and cutting board
• Cheese grater
• Oven-safe skillet or a skillet and a baking dish
• Spatula or wooden spoon

How to make a cheesy white bean tomato bake

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Warm an oven-safe skillet on the stove over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil moves easily in the pan, add the diced onions.
• Cook and stir the onions until they are translucent, then add the drained white beans, tomato paste, and seasonings to the skillet.
• Stir the beans and tomato paste together, then add ¾ cup of water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer for 5 minutes.
• When the beans have warmed through, take the skillet off the heat.
• Top the tomato and beans with the shredded mozzarella. If you are adding additional pizza toppings, now's your chance! Add 2-4 tablespoons of each topping, up to 1 additional cup.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until bubbles form along the edges and the cheese begins to brown.
• Serve as is, with a crisp green salad, or dished over toasted rustic bread.

Substitutions and Variations

• Get (simple) fancy - Fresh basil, sliced thinly and sprinkled on top of the skillet after baking is a delicious addition that balances the rich, melty cheese.
• Add toppings - I've included optional pizza toppings with instructions in the recipe card if you want more of what you love on this white bean bake!
• Use broth instead of water - For richer flavor, thin out the tomato paste and beans with chicken broth instead of water.
• Use Latin flavors instead - Cheesy beans are yummy in many forms. Try sprinkling a little taco seasoning into the beany tomato mixture instead of Italian seasoning. Then, serve it with fresh green onions, cilantro, sour cream, and avocado. You could also swap the white beans for pinto beans.
• Make it vegan - This simple white bean tomato bake recipe is already vegetarian. Swap the mozzarella cheese for a vegan alternative to make plant-based pizza beans.

Leftover cheesy white bean tomato bake

• Refrigerate leftovers sealed in a container for up to 5 days.
• Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles. Or, warm through on medium-low in a covered pan on the stove, stirring occasionally.
• I do not recommend freezing this dish after it's been prepared because of the cheese. You could prepare everything else and freeze it before baking. After thawing, proceed with the rest of the recipe.

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More bean recipes

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