You’ll be thrilled with the variety of cannellini bean recipes available, spanning from comforting soups to creative pasta dishes and even delicious toast toppings. These versatile beans are not only nutritious and flavorful but also quick to cook, making them a fantastic addition to any meal. With their rich taste and numerous health benefits, it’s no wonder why cannellini beans have become a staple in Italian cuisine.
Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, these incredible beans can elevate your dish from ordinary to extraordinary. In this article, I’ll be sharing 17 mouth-watering cannellini bean recipes that will inspire your next cooking adventure. From classic soups and salads to innovative pasta creations and crunchy toast combinations, you’ll discover a world of flavors with these amazing Italian legumes. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of cannellini beans?
Continue reading as I’ll be sharing essential tips, tricks, and fun facts about these incredible beans, ensuring you become an expert in no time. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you wanting more!
Penne with Tomatoes & White Beans
Taking a chance on white beans can be intimidating, but this recipe is sure to win you over. The combination of penne pasta, fresh spinach, juicy olives, and cannellini beans in a rich and tangy tomato sauce is truly unbeatable. To add an extra layer of depth, the dish is finished with a generous sprinkling of nutty Parmesan cheese, creating a perfectly balanced blend of flavors and textures that’s both hearty and refreshingly light.
10-Minute White Bean Soup with Parmesan
Elevate your mealtime routine with this quick and easy recipe for a delicious tomato-based soup that’s not only packed with flavor but also incredibly simple to make. In just 10 minutes, you can whip up a hearty and comforting bowl of goodness that will fill your tummy and warm your soul. This soup combines the creaminess of cannellini beans and spinach in a rich and velvety tomato sauce, topped with an abundance of parmesan cheese for added richness.
Not only is it incredibly quick to prepare, but it also requires minimal pantry staples, making it an affordable and accessible option for any mealtime occasion. Plus, its vegetarian credentials make it a great choice for those looking for a meat-free option without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
White Beans with Tomato and Garlic
Keeping up with busy lifestyles, it’s essential to have a repertoire of simple yet delicious recipes at our disposal. Fortunately, I’ve discovered a recipe that ticks all the boxes: white beans with tomato garlic, which I’ve had the pleasure of incorporating into my cooking routine time and time again. This versatile dish is made complete with cannellini beans, tomatoes, garlic, and chicken broth, making it one of my go-to options for a quick and flavorful meal.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring just 20 to 30 minutes to come together in a single pot – a true time-saver for even the most hectic schedules.
White Bean Ragout
Versatility is one of the key selling points of this incredible ragout recipe. If you can only cook one dish this week, let it be this delightful beans and tomato stew. The combination of sweet tomatoes and white beans creates a stunning flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. The addition of fresh herbs adds a bright and refreshing note to the dish, while the balsamic vinegar contributes a tangy depth that elevates the flavors to a whole new level.
Whether you serve it as a main course with a side of toasted garlic bread or as a side to grilled pork chops, this ragout is sure to impress. One important tip for making the most of this recipe is to use dried beans instead of canned ones. It may take longer and require some extra effort, but soaking and cooking dried beans yields a richer flavor and texture that’s well worth the wait.
Tuscan White Bean Pasta
Tempting your taste buds with a classic Italian-inspired dish is the Tuscan white bean pasta. This creamy, hearty meal is made easy to prepare thanks to its simple ingredients list. Flavoured with the deep sweetness of caramelized garlic and the freshness of basil, this recipe is sure to become a family favourite.
The combination of cannellini beans, juicy tomatoes, fresh spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta makes for a satisfying complete meal that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with grilled chicken or turkey for added protein. When it comes to choosing the right pasta shape, linguine or fettuccine are popular options, but shorter noodles such as bowtie and penne also work well, making this recipe adaptable to your preferences.
15-Minute Cannellini Bean Stew
Zestfully, you’ll discover that preparing a delicious and nutritious stew can be achieved in just 15 minutes. I’ve personally tested the recipe, and it delivers on its promise to create a mouth-watering meal quickly. The cannellini bean stew’s ingredients are expertly combined with cannellini beans, dried tomatoes, corn kernels, and a blend of spices including onion powder, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and tahini, all of which come together to create a rich flavor profile.
When served over a bed of fresh leafy greens, this hearty stew bursts with an incredible balance of great flavors and textures.
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Diving into the world of Italian cuisine, Tuscan bean soup stands out as a hearty and comforting option that’s sure to warm the soul. This delicious soup originates from Tuscany, Italy, and is characterized by its rich, creamy texture and bold flavors. A medley of ingredients such as cannellini beans, carrots, garlic, onion, celery, and herbs come together in perfect harmony, while the addition of crispy bacon provides a satisfying smokiness.
The combination of these elements creates a truly mouth-watering experience that’s sure to please even the most discerning palate. What I particularly love about this soup is not only its ease of preparation – it can be ready in just 30 minutes – but also its ability to hit all the right notes, balancing flavors and textures in a beautiful way.
Mediterranean White Bean Soup
Delight in this rich and hearty vegan soup, perfect for satisfying your hunger on even the chilliest of days. Don’t worry about compromising on taste or dietary preferences – it’s both effortless to prepare and utterly exceptional. Simply combine all the ingredients, let them simmer in a pot, and you’ll be enjoying a warm, comforting bowl of goodness in no time.
For me, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a steaming hot bowl of this soup on a cold winter night, feeling virtuous about indulging in something that not only hits the spot but also aligns with my values.
Slow Cooker Cannellini Bean Soup
Adding a pinch of fresh rosemary to canned cannellini beans elevates them into a truly restaurant-worthy soup experience. The result is a culinary masterpiece that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates!
Quick and Easy White Bean Salad
Knowing that a few humble pantry staples can be combined to create something truly mouthwatering is one of life’s greatest culinary pleasures. This white bean salad is the perfect example: it’s a masterclass in simplicity, yet its flavors are so complex and satisfying. All you need to get started are cannellini beans, red onions, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, and a sprinkle of herbs and seasonings. Simply toss them all together, and voila!
You’ll be rewarded with a salad that’s both fresh and full-bodied. One of the best things about this recipe is that it actually improves over time, thanks to its ability to chill in the fridge for a while. This allows the flavors to meld together even more beautifully, giving you an even more delightful dish with each successive bite.
White Chicken Chili
Many people assume that just because a dish has a different color it will lack flavor. However, in the case of white chicken chili, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The cannellini beans, chicken, and creamy broth all combine to create a rich and satisfying taste experience. This innovative twist on the classic chili is a surefire hit with anyone who tries it. Of course, no matter how delicious the chili itself is, the toppings are what truly elevate it to the next level.
Feel free to get creative and add your favorite toppings such as tortilla chips, guacamole, cheese, or sour cream.
Easy White Bean Salad
Versatile and delicious, this white bean salad is a perfect solution for a quick and exciting dinner option. With its Mediterranean twist, it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. To make this salad, simply gather canned beans, an assortment of veggies, and some fresh herbs. Combine them in a bowl and top with a zesty dressing made from lemon juice and olive oil. The best part? It comes together in just a few minutes!
This easy-to-make salad is also budget-friendly and packed with protein and nutrients that your body will thank you for. Plus, its consistency and flavor hold up beautifully even after being refrigerated overnight, making it an ideal make-ahead option.
Quinoa and White Bean Fritters
Generally speaking, quinoa and white bean fritters are a game-changer for parents looking to get their kids to eat something nutritious. Gone are the days of struggling to get your little ones to consume healthy foods – this dish is here to save the day! The unique combination of quinoa and cannellini beans creates a flavor and texture that’s both wholesome and utterly delicious.
To make it even more appealing, serve these fritters with tartar sauce or any creamy dip, and watch as your kids devour them with glee. Plus, they’re just as happy to be used as sandwich fillings, making mealtime even easier.
White Beans with Bacon
Renew your love for simple pork and beans by giving it an upgrade with the addition of bacon. This may sound cliché, but it’s a proven fact: everything is better with bacon! This recipe takes cannellini beans cooked in rich bacon fat to new heights, infused with the deep flavors of garlic and a generous helping of fresh herbs. The result is nothing short of mouth-watering magic.
It’s so incredibly tasty that you can enjoy it on its own as a main course, but it also pairs perfectly as a side dish to complement any main event.
Rosemary Garlic White Bean Soup
Gathering eight easy steps, this rosemary garlic white bean soup is a must-try culinary experience that showcases the versatility of canned food. Instead of relegating cans to their mundane reputation, this recipe proves that even the humblest ingredients can be transformed into a gourmet dish with a few clever additions. By pairing your canned cannellini beans with bold seasonings such as rosemary and garlic, you’ll create a thick, drool-worthy soup that’s sure to become a favorite.
It tastes great on its own, but the addition of freshly grated Parmesan and croutons takes it to a whole new level. For an added touch of warmth and coziness, serve with a side of crusty toasted bread – the perfect accompaniment to this hearty soup.
Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Many of us find ourselves drawn to comforting, familiar flavors, especially when cooking at home. A warm white bean skillet is just what we need on a chilly evening – and can be made even more appealing by adding mushrooms and artichokes to the mix. While it’s easy to assume that vegetarian dishes are inherently less satisfying than their meat-based counterparts, this skillet proves otherwise.
Packed with beans, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, artichokes, and a medley of mushrooms, it offers a rich and savory experience without sacrificing flavor. For an added indulgence, serve the skillet alongside toasted sourdough for the perfect appetizer – one that’s sure to leave you wanting more.
The Best White Bean Soup
Not only is this recipe an honest claimant to making the best white bean soup ever, but it’s also backed up by its unbeatable flavor profile and impressive credentials as a vegan and budget-friendly option. Additionally, its aroma is so enticing that it’ll surely make your senses come alive! This delectable soup requires just a handful of ingredients, including some essential veggies, white wine for added depth, rosemary for a fragrant twist, and the crowning glory: canned cannellini beans.
With such simplicity in mind, you’d be surprised at how effortlessly this dish comes together to create the thickest, healthiest, and tastiest soup you’ve ever had the pleasure of savoring. And the best part? It’s ready in just 20 minutes!
Should I Use Canned or Dried Beans?
When comparing dried cannellini beans to their canned counterparts, several factors come into play. On one hand, dried beans are often significantly cheaper and offer a richer flavor and texture that many enthusiasts prefer. On the other hand, canned beans provide a much quicker and more convenient option for busy cooks. Ultimately, the choice between these two options depends on your personal preferences and priorities.
