Description
This pizza beans recipe offers a comforting, hearty, and plant-powered meal that combines classic pizza flavors with minimal fuss. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner solution perfect for busy weeknights, adaptable for various tastes, and suitable for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 180 g)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 15 g)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon ground sumac, plus extra for garnish
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (794 g, no-sugar-added recommended)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 cans cannellini beans (each 15 ounces / 425 g), rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 110 g)
- 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves (30 g), roughly chopped, for garnish
- 0.5 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley (30 g), roughly chopped, for garnish
- 0.33 cup pine nuts (40 g), lightly toasted, for garnish
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, for tahini drizzle
Instructions
- Prep Your Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 6-8 minutes, looking soft.
- Build the Flavor Base: Add minced garlic, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 0.5 teaspoon ground sumac. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant, filling your kitchen with aroma, avoiding burning.
- Simmer the Sauce and Beans: Pour in 28 ounces crushed tomatoes and 1 cup vegetable broth. Add rinsed cannellini beans, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring, until sauce thickens and beans are creamy. (If sauce seems too thick, add a splash of water or broth.)
- Get Cheesy: Uncover the pot. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the pizza beans. Cook 3-5 minutes, or broil 1-2 minutes, until melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Serve It Up: Ladle warm pizza beans into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh mint, parsley, and toasted pine nuts for crunch. Add a final pinch of sumac. Serve hot for a comforting dinner.
Notes
Customize with chickpeas or other beans, add red pepper flakes for heat, or sauté spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms with the onion for extra nutrition. For a dairy-free option, use nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese. Avoid overcooking beans, as they are already cooked; simmer gently to prevent scorching.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx. 350 g)
- Calories: 460 calories
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 16 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: pizza beans, easy dinner, plant-powered, weeknight meal, vegetarian, high-protein, comfort food, one-pot, customizable, Mediterranean-inspired