Description
Pizza Beans on Toast is a delicious and quick vegetarian meal that combines creamy cannellini beans simmered in a flavorful marinara sauce with classic pizza herbs and spices, served atop toasted thick-cut bread and topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. This easy stovetop recipe offers a comforting twist on traditional beans on toast with cheesy, pizza-inspired flavors perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings and Toast
- 4 slices thick-cut bread (such as sourdough)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat to warm it up and prepare for sautéing garlic.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add sauce and seasonings: Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Incorporate beans: Add the drained cannellini beans to the sauce and gently stir to coat them evenly. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Melt Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce, enriching the flavor and texture.
- Toast the bread: While the beans are simmering, toast the thick-cut bread slices until they are crisp and golden brown.
- Assemble the dish: Spoon the hot pizza beans over each toasted bread slice, then evenly top with shredded mozzarella cheese, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese.
- Garnish and serve: Finish each serving with fresh basil leaves for a bright, aromatic touch before enjoying.
Notes
- Use sourdough or another sturdy bread to support the weight of the pizza beans without getting soggy.
- For added flavor, try mixing in chopped pepperoni or sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms into the bean mixture.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Leftover pizza beans can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick meal the next day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
