Wondering how to make cheese beans? Sauté onion and garlic, simmer white beans in a creamy tomato sauce with Italian herbs, then top with mozzarella and let it melt. Serve with crusty bread for the ultimate cheesy comfort food!
Ingredients
- White beans – 2 cans (28 oz) | 800 g, liquid reserved
- Onion – 1 medium | 100 g
- Garlic – 4 cloves
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Tomato paste – 2 tbsp | 30 g
- Crushed tomatoes – 1 can (14 oz) | 400 g
- Light cream (20%) – about ⅖ cup | 100 ml
- Mozzarella – 5.3 oz | 150 g
- Sweet paprika – ½ tsp
- Dried oregano – 1 tsp
- Dried basil – ½ tsp
- Chili flakes – ¼ tsp
- Salt – to taste
- Fresh basil – ¼ cup | 10 g
How to Make Cheese Beans
- Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, oregano, dried basil, chili flakes, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add white beans, cream, and 100–150 ml of the reserved bean liquid. Stir gently and simmer for 5–7 minutes until the sauce is rich and creamy.
- Top with mozzarella and bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 6–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Finish with fresh basil and serve warm with crusty bread, garlic bread, toasted baguette slices, or tortilla chips!