White Bean Casserole
This white bean casserole is made with toasted bread, fire-roasted tomatoes, and plenty of seasoning to create a uniquely delicious meal! It’s a great way to use up day-old bread.
I love fresh bread but sometimes it’s hard for us to eat a whole loaf before it starts to get stale. Since I hate to see anything go to waste, I was looking for a new way to use up leftover bread. Sometimes I’ll slice it and freeze it and sometimes I’ll turn it into croutons, but this White Bean Casserole might be my new favorite way to use up the other half of a crusty loaf.
This casserole comes together quickly and easily with just a few pantry staples. The bread is toasted, which helps it retain its shape after being mixed with the cannellini beans and tomatoes. Red onion and spices create an additional layer of flavor and mozzarella creates a cheesy top that is irresistible. The pieces of bread on top keep their crunch while the bread on the bottom helps soak up the juices from the tomatoes.
What are Cannellini Beans?
These small, creamy white beans may also be called white navy beans. They’re soft and tender and their texture is perfect in this casserole. If you can’t find cannellini beans, you can substitute them with great northern beans. While dried beans could be used in this recipe, they’d need to be soaked and cooked ahead of time. I typically rely on canned beans because they’re convenient and don’t require planning ahead.
White Bean Casserole Ingredients
- Bread– I recommend using a rustic loaf like a crusty baguette or Italian loaf. You’ll need about 8oz of bread, which is typically half of a large loaf of bread.
- Olive oil- A little olive oil enhances the flavor of the bread and helps it toast to a golden brown.
- Cannellini beans– Cannellini beans, also called white navy beans, are small creamy white beans.
- Tomatoes– I prefer fire-roasted diced tomatoes but any diced tomato is fine.
- Red onion– Thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, flavorful bite.
- Garlic– Minced garlic adds additional depth of flavor.
- Oregano– You can use dried oregano or an Italian seasoning blend.
- Mozzarella– I used shredded mozzarella but you can also use fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces.
- Pecorino Romano– This sheep’s milk adds a salty flavor. You can substitute for Parmesan cheese if you prefer.
Can this be made a day ahead and heated in the oven the next day
Do you drain the tomatoes?
Nope!
Do you drain the can of fire roasted tomatoes?
I do not. A little liquid helps keep the bread from being too dry.
I was looking for cannellini bean recipes and happened to come across yours. It is absolutely amazing! My mother had to change her diet due to sodium and cholesterol. I made this recipe as stated, just used homemade crusty white bread (no salt), no salt tomatoes, and low sodium beans. Omitted the Parmesan. So, so, so delicious! So delicious that I’ve made it two nights in a row. Doubled the beans the second time. Thank you! In her words, “this needs to be a staple”.
Do you drain and rinse the beans? Or just dump everything in the can in?
Drain them first!
Cannellini beans are my favorite with their tender and creamy texture – this is such a unique way to use a can and nothing I ever would’ve thought to do!
I love this casserole, so simple to make but really delivers when you’re craving something comforting and flavorful. I’ll definitely be making this again!
I love the mixture of cannellini beans, crusty bread, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes in this casserole. Now, I have the perfect recipe to use up loaves of bread!
Such a fantastic use for leftover bread! This casserole looks so good and I love how easily everything comes together.
This dish has all of my favorite flavors! Fire-roasted tomatoes and Pecorino really make this pop.