• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nourish Nutrition Blog

  • ABOUT
  • COOKBOOK
  • RECIPES
  • SERVICES
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • TIPS
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • ABOUT
  • COOKBOOK
  • RECIPES
  • SERVICES
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • TIPS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipe Index » Vegetarian Dishes

    Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

    December 11, 2022 By Rebecca 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Easy Recipes, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pantry Dinners, Vegetarian Dishes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    white bowl with white beans, tomatoes basil in it

    Make this cheesy white bean tomato bake for a super easy dinner for one. It takes just 15 minutes and can be made with pantry ingredients and enjoyed with crusty bread. Or try Refried Bean Tacos, Apple Chicken Salad, or Pesto Pasta for easy pantry meals.

    white bowl with white beans, tomatoes basil in it

    Table of contents

    • How will these cheesy white beans make your life easier?
    • What makes white beans in tomato sauce so good?
    • How do I make these white beans and tomatoes?
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will these cheesy white beans make your life easier?

    If you haven't planned any meals for the week, easy pantry dinners are your way to easy and delicious dinners. Just slowly or quickly stock your pantry, fridge, and freezer with easy to throw together ingredients.

    Recipes like this cheesy white bean tomato bake are perfect when you're hungry, tired and didn't plan dinner. It comes together quickly, with one pan and minimal effort. Plus it's super comforting and delicious. Perfect for a warm night or dark winter evening.

    What makes white beans in tomato sauce so good?

    white beans, tomatoes, spinach, other ingredients on table

    How do I make these white beans and tomatoes?

    Start making your cheesy white bean tomato bake by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F.

    In a small oven safe skillet, fry garlic and Italian seasoning in olive oil. Cook until light golden brown. Turn off heat once garlic is golden to avoid burning it.

    tomatoes in skillet

    Add tomato paste and tomatoes to make tomato sauce.

    mashing tomatoes in skillet

    Smash with a potato masher if you like smaller chunks.

    tomatoes, beans, spinach in skillet

    Add a handful of spinach (optional) and beans. Stir. The consistency will be the same after baking, add water if desired. Season with salt, pepper, and/or red pepper flakes.

    beans with cheese on top in skillet

    Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over your cheesy white bean tomato bake.

    tomatoes beans and cheese in skillet

    Bake for 8-10 minutes, broil for 1-2 minutes if desired. Transfer to a serving dish or enjoy your cheesy white bean tomato bake straight from the skillet. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • If you don't have an oven safe skillet, start cooking garlic and seasonings in a skillet, then transfer to an oven safe dish for remaining steps.
    • You can use 1-2 sliced garlic cloves instead of minced garlic.
    • Swap the spinach for another hearty green like kale, or even arugula in the spring. Omit if you don't want or have any.
    • You can cook down the tomatoes if you'd like before adding cheese. The consistency of the sauce is about the same before baking as after. 
    • Celery sticks, peppers, and chips are great to dip into this cheesy white bean tomato bake as well.
    • Other great add-ins: Parmesan cheese, onions, mushrooms, etc.

    FAQ

    What is good with cheesy white bean tomato bake?

    Serve your baked tomatoes and beans with crusty bread and a salad, if you'd like. These salads would be good with it: Apple Cucumber Salad, Copycat Chick Fil A Salad, Warm Kale Salad.

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Tomato Paste: Rice and Bean Soup, Chicken Parmesan Pasta
    • Diced Tomatoes: Canned Tomato Pasta, Turkey Pumpkin Chili, Black Bean Pasta
    • White Beans: Leek and White Bean Bowl
    • Spinach: Lentil Curry with Spinach for One, Spinach Orange Salad, Spinach Apple Banana Smoothie, Thai Inspired Beef Bowl, Spinach Strawberry Salad
    • Mozzarella Cheese: Buffalo Chicken Flatbread, Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls

    Did you make this cheesy white bean tomato bake? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    square image of tomato and white beans in dish with bread
    Print Pin
    5 from 6 votes

    Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

    Make this cheesy white bean tomato bake for a super easy dinner for one. It takes just 15 minutes and can be made with pantry ingredients and enjoyed with crusty bread.
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • 1 small oven proof sautee pan
    • rubber spatula
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
    • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning heaping
    • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
    • ½ can diced tomatoes
    • handful fresh spinach leaves
    • ½ can white beans (cannellini or great northern) drained
    • salt, pepper, to taste
    • pinch red pepper flakes optional
    • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • crusty bread optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
    • In a small oven safe skillet over medium-low heat, add 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon of garlic, and heaping ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Pan fry until garlic is golden brown, stir frequently. Turn off heat.
    • Add 1 Tablespoon tomato paste, ½ can tomatoes. Smash with potato masher, if desired.
    • Add a handful of spinach, ½ can drained white beans, and 1 Tablespoon of water. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Stir. Add water if you'd like.
    • Sprinkle about ½ cup shredded mozzarella over bean and tomato mixture. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tomato sauce is bubbling. Broil for 1-2 minutes if desired.
    • Transfer to bowl or enjoy straight from the pan. Serve with crusty bread.

    Video

    CHEESY WHITE BEAN TOMATO BAKE

    Notes

    • Don't have an oven safe skillet? Just use a small skillet to cook the garlic and seasonings, then transfer to a small oven safe dish for remaining steps. 
    • Minced garlic is easiest, especially if you have but if you have fresh garlic, slice 1-2 cloves and use that.
    • If you have spinach or other greens you can add them to this dish, but you don't have to add greens to it.
    • Don't mash tomatoes if you like bigger tomato chunks, mash to desired thickness. You can also mash the beans if desired.
    • You can cook down the tomatoes if you'd like before adding cheese. The consistency of the sauce is about the same before baking as after. 
    • Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese after baking, if desired. 

    RECIPE

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this cheesy white bean tomato bake delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Vegetarian Dishes

    • chia seed pudding with coffee, yogurt, chocolate shavings
      Coffee Chia Pudding
    • macaroni and cheese, broccoli on black plate
      Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    • lentil curry on white and pink plate
      Lentil Spinach Curry for One
    • close up of tortilla soup with cheese
      Pantry Rice and Bean Soup

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina Abernathy says

      December 16, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for something to make that was easy and tasty tonight for dinner. This was it! Simple and satisfying.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 21, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        perfect!

        Reply
    2. Anjali says

      December 16, 2022 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      This is such an easy and delicious meal! We made it for dinner tonight, served it with some crusty bread, and it was great!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 21, 2022 at 2:45 pm

        it's so good with crusty bread

        Reply
    3. Ned says

      December 16, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe to share! I can't wait to make this for my next family party!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 21, 2022 at 2:45 pm

        enjoy

        Reply
    4. Andrea says

      December 16, 2022 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Easy to make with simple ingredients, this is a fantastic meal. Perfect for my family.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 21, 2022 at 2:44 pm

        great! enjoy

        Reply
    5. Rachna says

      December 16, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect and tasty. I love that this is a one person recipe.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 21, 2022 at 2:44 pm

        right?! 1 serving recipes are great. enjoy

        Reply
    6. Julia says

      December 18, 2022 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      Love these simple ingredients dishes, family was satisfies as well as I was, and I know I fed them something good! I made it in a bigger baking dish and have some leftovers for tomorrow.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 21, 2022 at 2:41 pm

        this recipe is easy to double/triple. glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Blog in a kitchen making guacamole with chips and dips on counter

    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

    popular posts

    • cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli
      Easy Instant Pot Fish (can cook from frozen!)
    • glass jar with oats, chia seeds, and frozen berries in it
      Overnight Oats with Yogurt
    • glass bowl of red and green cabbage and shredded carrots
      Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw
    • close up of beef, sauteed spinach, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a bowl
      Thai Inspired Beef and Spinach Bowl

    featured on

    logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

    nutrition counseling

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Rebecca
    • Recipes
    • How to Eat
    • Disclaimer/Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for a free single serving cookbook

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Nutrition Services
    • Recipe/Food Photography Services

    Copyright © 2022 Nourish Nutrition Co