Description

Pizza Beans Skillet is a hearty and flavorful one-pan dish combining tender cannellini beans in a rich, homemade tomato sauce seasoned with garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Topped with bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and finished under the broiler for a perfect golden crust, this comforting skillet meal is served garnished with fresh basil for a fresh herbal note.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Sauce

1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. kosher salt (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar (optional)

Beans and Cheese

2 (14.5-oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Prepare Tomatoes: Pour the whole tomatoes and their juices into a large bowl. Using clean hands, tear the tomatoes into approximately 1/2 inch pieces. Set aside for later use.
Sauté Garlic and Tomato Paste: Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until it darkens in color and starts to stick slightly to the bottom of the skillet, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Simmer Tomato Sauce: Add the reserved torn tomatoes, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the skillet. Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and add granulated sugar if additional sweetness is desired.
Add Beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the beans are heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
Broil with Cheese: Preheat the oven broiler to high. Evenly top the bean mixture with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Place the skillet under the broiler and broil carefully, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and browned, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and scatter fresh basil leaves over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh basil for the best flavor; alternatively, you can substitute with dried basil added earlier in the sauce.
If you don’t have cannellini beans, great northern beans or navy beans can be substituted.
Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Broiling times vary by oven; watch carefully to prevent burning.
This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: pizza beans, skillet recipe, cannellini beans, tomato sauce, vegetarian skillet, easy dinner, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, fresh basil