These cheesy white beans are simmered with garlic, tomatoes, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes then topped with gooey mozzarella for a delicious, meatless main dish.

cheesy white beans
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I jokingly started calling this recipe “pizza beans” because the flavors remind me of a slice of pizza, especially with the gooey mozzarella on top. I think this could be a kid-friendly recipe since it has a lot of familiar flavors. This recipe is also a great way to turn a few pantry staples into a delicious, filling meal.

The Best Skillet for Cheesy White Beans

I recommend using a cast iron skillet for this recipe. If you want to achieve bubbly, brown mozzarella, you’ll need to put this under the broiler. Keep in mind that non-stick skillets (even oven-safe skillets) typically cannot be used under a broiler. Be sure to check if you have a broiler-safe pan before you begin. I used a cast iron skillet so I could easily move it from the stovetop to the broiler. Finishing this in the oven for a few minutes lets the cheese get perfectly melty.

If none of your pans can be used under the broiler, don’t fear! You can still enjoy this dish on the stovetop with creamy white beans and melty mozzarella. Simply cover the skillet with a lid and continue to cook over low on the stovetop to allow the mozzarella to melt for 2-3 minutes, then serve.

White Bean Varieties

There are a variety of white beans and many of them will work for this recipe. I used great northern beans but you can use navy beans, cannellini beans, or baby lima beans. I don’t recommend using large butter beans, which are a bit too firm and meaty for this recipe.

How to Make Cheesy White Beans

garlic and olive oil
Add olive oil and garlic to a large skillet
white beans in a pan
Add diced tomatoes, white beans, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Simmer until thickened.
cheesy white beans
Top with mozzarella cheese and broil until cheese is melted.
Cook until cheese is melted then top with fresh basil.

What to Serve with this Recipe

I recommend serving these white beans with a sliced baguette. It’s perfect for scooping up saucy beans. You could also use breadsticks, garlic bread, or even sliced pita bread. I usually have a loaf of crusty sourdough bread from Wildgrain in my freezer and it’s perfect for meals like this! To round out the meal, I recommend adding a green vegetable like this air fryer broccoli or this romano bean salad.

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cheesy white beans

Cheesy White Beans

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

These cheesy white beans are simmered with garlic, tomatoes, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes then topped with gooey mozzarella for a delicious, meatless main dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 15oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 15oz cans white beans (Great Northern Beans, cannellini beans, etc.) drained and rinsed
  • 8oz fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to broil.
  2. Add the olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet and heat over low heat for 30 seconds.
  3. Add the garlic and cook over low heat for 3 minutes.
  4. Add the oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, diced tomatoes, and white beans, and increase heat to medium.
  5. Simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes until tomatoes are softened and most of the juice has evaporated.
  6. Top with mozzarella cheese. 
  7. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, if desired, for brown and bubbly cheese. If you do not have a broiler-safe skillet, simply top with mozzarella and cover the pan. Let sit over low heat for 2-3 minutes until the mozzarella has melted.