Italian Beans for One (Instant Pot)

Ingredients

Scroll down to the Italian beans recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

• White Beans: Dried white beans (great northern, navy, or cannellini) are inexpensive and versatile. They plump up well in the Instant Pot and take on the flavors in this recipe really well.
• Chicken Broth: You can use any kind of broth/bouillon paste + water, but personally, I liked the milder flavor of chicken broth vs vegetable broth in this recipe.
• Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is a great flavor combo with these ingredients. Adding it early, to cook in infuses in the beans too.
• Salt: I like to add a bit of extra salt to cook the beans. But you can always skip this and add when serving, or before sauteeing, if desired.
• Vegetables: Add them or not, either works in this Italian beans recipe. I liked slightly crunchy carrots and barely wilted kale in mine.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a delicious, sharp addition. I liked adding it just before serving. Add it with vegetables, before boiling down the water for a sweeter, more mild flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic lemon juice is a great addition to these savory beans. Sharp garlic and lemon juice are great on these Italian beans and vegetables.
• Parmesan Cheese: A bit more savory, salty flavor is always good, especially through parmesan. It's a tasty topping here.

Instructions

Scroll down to the Italian beans and vegetables recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

1. Start making your Italian beans by adding your rinsed white beans, chicken broth (I use chicken bouillon paste + water), Italian seasoning, salt to Instant Pot bowl. Stir. Secure lid, set knob to sealing.

I used great northern beans, but you can use cannellini beans, navy beans, or other white beans. You can also use vegetable broth/bouillon.

2. Set to CHILI/BEANS, set timer for 32 minutes. Let cook. Chop vegetables, if using.

3. Quick release steam when timer goes off. Remove lid. Cancel cook setting, set to SAUTEE.

4. Add hearty/thick vegetables. Stir frequently until broth thickens, about 5-6 minutes.

I like to add the garlic just before serving for a sharp, pop of garlic flavor. You can add it earlier, if desired.

5. Add garlic and other vegetables, about a minute before serving, if desired. Top your Italian beans with lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty bread. Enjoy.

How to Cook on the Stove

Starting with the same ingredients, cook your white beans for about 2 hours over medium heat. Beans will be done once you can easily pierce a bean with a fork. Texture should be creamy and soft.

I wouldn't add baking soda, like in this Pinto Beans and Rice recipe since you're using the broth. Broth with baking soda can be slightly bitter and salty.

How to Use Canned Beans

If you don't have time, an Instant Pot, or the desire to cook dried beans, you can still make these Italian beans, with canned beans. Add about ½ cup of broth, same seasonings. Skip cooking the beans, and start with the sautee step.

You can cook them in a skillet on the stove, instead of in an Instant Pot. You'll have more control over the heat, which is good here.

Storage/Reheating Tips

Store leftover Italian white beans in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to about a week. Smell beans, if they still smell good, they should be safe to eat.

You can also store your leftover beans in a freezer bag, in the freezer for a couple months. They freeze well, so you can make a larger batch for leftovers.

Substitutions/Tips

• Use whatever kind of white beans that you have. You can also use canned beans, see section on using canned beans above.
• When testing this recipe, I preferred it with chicken broth over vegetable broth, it has a more muted flavor that doesn't compete as much with the Italian seasonings. But you can use vegetable broth too.
• In the mood for soup? You can skip cooking down the broth. Just cook the vegetables separately or enjoy them raw in your soup.
• Vegetable ideas: carrots, hearty greens (kale, collards, escarole, etc), broccoli, zucchini, leeks, celery, green beans, etc.
• Other great add-ins: You can add whatever vegetables you have on hand to these Italian beans, 1-2 teaspoons of tomato paste, Italian sausage, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or freshly ground black pepper are all great additions.

Other good recipes with beans

• Pinto Beans and Rice for One (Instant Pot)
• Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake
• Pantry Rice and Bean Soup
• Refried Bean Tacos
• Black Bean Pasta Recipe

Repurpose your beans

Mash your Italian beans and dip vegetables into it, or spread on a slice of bread and add cheese and other vegetables to make a bean, veggie sandwich.

You can serve the cooked beans over pasta too, add olive oil and extra lemon to make a pasta sauce.

What to do with leftover ingredients

When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

• White Beans: Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake and White Bean and Farro Bowl
• Vegetables: Use any vegetables in this Italian beans recipe, then use leftovers in any of these Vegetable recipes.
• Crusty Bread: Chili without Tomatoes, Turkey Pumpkin Chili, French Toast for One, or Salmon Baked in 'a bag'.

Want time saving tips to make recipes like this Italian beans delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

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.