Tuscan peasants discovered beans absorb 40% more flavor when cooked with tomato's natural acids in terra cotta pots.
Cheesy Tomatoey Beans
Indulge in a delightful bowl of cheesy tomatoey beans, where tender white beans swim in a rich, homemade sauce crafted from vibrant fresh tomatoes and a splash of tomato paste. Crowned with gooey mozzarella and broiled to perfection, this comforting dish is a must-try for cheese lovers! Dive into this flavorful fusion that’s perfect for any occasion!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 shallot diced
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- 1 cup low moisture shredded mozzarella (240 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 2 15oz cans of cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
- 2 tablespoon double concentrate tomato paste (30 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(4)
- ½ tsp black pepper (2.5 ml)
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (15 ml)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (2.5 ml)
- 1 tsp kosher salt (5 ml)
📦Other(1)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved (473 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Start by cooking shallot and garlic with salt and pepper.
- 2
Add tomato paste to deepen the tomato flavor.
- 3
Add halved tomatoes and let it simmer with water or stock.
- 4
Stir in the beans and top with mozzarella cheese.
- 5
Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Bloom tomato paste for 60-90 seconds until it darkens by one shade and becomes fragrant - this caramelizes sugars and eliminates raw metallic notes through the Maillard reaction.technique60-90 seconds
- ✓Position your oven rack 4-6 inches from the broiler element to achieve golden cheese in 2-3 minutes without burning the edges or overcooking the beans underneath.equipment4-6 inches, 2-3 minutes
- ✓Salt your tomatoes 10 minutes before adding to draw out excess moisture through osmosis, preventing a watery final dish and concentrating flavor by 15-20%.timing10 minutes, 15-20% concentration
- ✓Use low-moisture mozzarella or pat regular mozzarella dry to prevent steam bubbles under the cheese surface that create uneven browning and soggy texture.ingredient
- ✓Simmer the tomato base uncovered until it coats a spoon and reduces by 30-40% to concentrate flavors and prevent the beans from swimming in liquid.technique30-40% reduction
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Tuscan peasants discovered beans absorb 40% more flavor when cooked with tomato's natural acids in terra cotta pots.
Cheesy Tomatoey Beans
Indulge in a delightful bowl of cheesy tomatoey beans, where tender white beans swim in a rich, homemade sauce crafted from vibrant fresh tomatoes and a splash of tomato paste. Crowned with gooey mozzarella and broiled to perfection, this comforting dish is a must-try for cheese lovers! Dive into this flavorful fusion that’s perfect for any occasion!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 shallot diced
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- 1 cup low moisture shredded mozzarella (240 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(3)
- 2 15oz cans of cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (15 ml)
- 2 tablespoon double concentrate tomato paste (30 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(4)
- ½ tsp black pepper (2.5 ml)
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (15 ml)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (2.5 ml)
- 1 tsp kosher salt (5 ml)
📦Other(1)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved (473 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Start by cooking shallot and garlic with salt and pepper.
- 2
Add tomato paste to deepen the tomato flavor.
- 3
Add halved tomatoes and let it simmer with water or stock.
- 4
Stir in the beans and top with mozzarella cheese.
- 5
Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Bloom tomato paste for 60-90 seconds until it darkens by one shade and becomes fragrant - this caramelizes sugars and eliminates raw metallic notes through the Maillard reaction.technique60-90 seconds
- ✓Position your oven rack 4-6 inches from the broiler element to achieve golden cheese in 2-3 minutes without burning the edges or overcooking the beans underneath.equipment4-6 inches, 2-3 minutes
- ✓Salt your tomatoes 10 minutes before adding to draw out excess moisture through osmosis, preventing a watery final dish and concentrating flavor by 15-20%.timing10 minutes, 15-20% concentration
- ✓Use low-moisture mozzarella or pat regular mozzarella dry to prevent steam bubbles under the cheese surface that create uneven browning and soggy texture.ingredient
- ✓Simmer the tomato base uncovered until it coats a spoon and reduces by 30-40% to concentrate flavors and prevent the beans from swimming in liquid.technique30-40% reduction