White bean casserole

This white bean casserole is an easy-to-make and comforting vegetarian dinner recipe. It has a delicious combination of creamy white beans, juicy tomatoes, spinach, and cheese. If you are looking for easy meat-free family dinner recipes, then this vegetarian casserole is a great option.

There could be nothing more satisfying than a hearty, comforting baked dinner cooked at home. As we are approaching the colder days of the year, these dishes will become even more enjoyable.

Today I am sharing one such recipe which is white bean casserole.

This vegetarian bean casserole is very easy to put together and is a great option for meat-free busy weeknight family dinners.

Jump to:

• Ingredients needed to make white bean casserole
• Ingredient notes and substitute suggestions
• How to make (step-by-step instructions)
• Serving white bean casserole
• Storing the leftovers and reheating tips
• Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions
• Frequently asked questions
• More vegetarian casserole recipes
• More easy white bean recipes
• Recipe

Ingredients needed to make white bean casserole

For this white bean casserole recipe, you will need the ingredients shown below:

Ingredient notes and substitute suggestions

• White beans: I have used cannellini beans which are also known as white kidney beans. Feel free to use your favorite white beans like navy beans, Great Northern beans, or lima beans. Similar bean casserole can also be prepared using other beans like black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas.
• Spinach: I have used roughly chopped regular spinach. Fresh baby spinach can be used too. You can also use other greens like kale or Swiss chard.
• Onion: Red onion is used in my recipe but white, or brown onion is fine too.
• Tomatoes: I have used fresh tomatoes but canned diced tomatoes can also be used.
• Cherry tomatoes: You can also use mini roma tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or grape tomatoes.
• Cheese: Use any melting cheese of choice. Generally, most melting cheeses have rennet which makes them unsuitable for vegetarians. However, now you can easily find rennet free version of most cheeses in the market. I have also used rennet-free mozzarella.
• Seasonings: To flavor this white bean tomato bake, I have used fresh garlic, dried mixed Italian seasonings, red chili flakes, and ground black pepper. Feel free to use seasonings of your choice to flavor it.
• Oil: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Other ingredient details and nutritional information are given in the recipe card.

How to make (step-by-step instructions)

To make this cannellini bean casserole, follow the easy step-by-step instructions given below:

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Saute until the onion turns translucent.

Step 2: Add red pepper flakes, Italian seasonings, and ground black pepper. Saute for a few seconds.

Step 3: Add tomato paste and cook for around 30 seconds.

Step 4: Add chopped tomatoes and salt.

Step 5: Cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until the tomatoes turn mushy.

Step 6: Add cherry tomatoes. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the cherry tomatoes are half-cooked. Cover the pan to fasten this step.

Step 7: Add cooked white beans.

Step 8: Add roughly chopped spinach.

Step 9: Mix and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the spinach leaves get wilted. Turn off the heat.

Step 10: Transfer the beans and tomato mix to a casserole dish.

Step 11: Top it with shredded cheese.

Step 12: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 200℃(or 400℉) for around 30 minutes or until the cheese melts. Garnish with your choice of fresh herbs.

Your comforting and delicious white bean casserole is ready to be enjoyed.

Serving white bean casserole

Serve bean casserole hot or warm.

You can pair it up with a lot of different dishes like roasted vegetables, salad, or any pasta, rice, or quinoa dish.

My favorite way to enjoy cannellini bean casserole is with crusty bread, garlic bread, or crispy garlic cheese toast.

You can also serve a bowl of soup with it.

Storing the leftovers and reheating tips

Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will be fine for 4-5 days.

To reheat, microwave in a microwave-safe container until heated well. Or, transfer to an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake in the oven at 180℃(or 350℉) for around 12-15 minutes.

Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions

• Feel free to make this casserole with your favorite white bean. You can also use other varieties of beans like black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, etc. in this recipe.
• For a quicker version of this recipe, use marinara sauce instead of cooking chopped onion and tomatoes.
• You may cut cherry tomatoes in half instead of using them whole.
• You may also add vegetables like bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, green peas, corn, or mushrooms to this dish. Sun-dried tomatoes also go well in this recipe.
• I have just spread the cheese on top, you may also mix some with the beans and tomatoes.
• If you are a vegetarian, use rennet-free cheese.

Vegan note: For a vegan-free version of this recipe, either skip the cheese or use a vegan melting cheese. You may also add some nutritional yeast for the cheese flavor.

Frequently asked questions

More vegetarian casserole recipes

If you enjoyed this white bean casserole recipe and looking for more easy vegetarian casserole recipes for your family dinners then don't miss to check out the following links:

More easy white bean recipes

Looking for more ways to use white beans in your recipes? The following easy white bean recipes are worth trying:

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Recipe