Creamy, Spicy Tomato Beans and Greens 

Published April 23, 2024

Media 1 of 1
Total Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(12,999)
Comments
Read comments

This weeknight wonder is for those who delight in turning a modest can of beans into a spectacular dinner. Inspired by the flavors of red pesto, this recipe calls for simmering cannellini beans with staple ingredients like onion, garlic, crushed red pepper, tomato paste and heavy cream, as well as sun-dried tomatoes and salty Pecorino, until the results taste complex and rich. Top the beans with a lemony arugula salad that is peppered with fried bread crumbs for a dish that is crunchy, chewy, crispy and creamy in every bite. 

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

    or to print this recipe.

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil

  • ⅔ cup panko bread crumbs

  • Salt and black pepper

  • 1 medium yellow onion, minced

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • ⅓ cup tomato paste

  • 2 (14-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other creamy white beans, rinsed

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup chopped jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil

  • ⅔ cup finely grated Pecorino or Parmesan 

  • 4 (packed) cups/3 ounces baby arugula 

  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest plus 4 teaspoons juice (from 1 lemon)

  • Toasted bread (optional), for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

110 grams carbs; 90 milligrams cholesterol; 1064 calories; 24 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 21 grams saturated fat; 55 grams fat; 1 gram trans fat; 17 grams fiber; 1692 milligrams sodium; 37 grams protein; 13 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium. Stir in the panko, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently and shaking the pan, until toasted and golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer seasoned panko to a paper-towel lined plate, then wipe out the skillet.

  2. Step 2

    Add another 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium. Add the onion, garlic and crushed red pepper, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add the tomato paste and stir until darkened and mixture is combined, about 3 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in beans, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes and ⅓ cup water, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, about 5 minutes. Stir in half the cheese, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

  5. Step 5

    In a medium bowl, toss the arugula with the seasoned panko, lemon zest and juice, plus the remaining ⅓ cup cheese and 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Pile the greens at the center of the bean mixture. Serve with toasted bread, if desired.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
12,999 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

To make this vegan: I used a can of coconut cream instead of cow cream & added about a teaspoon of whole grain mustard and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast to the beans. I added about a teaspoon each of nutritional yeast & paprika to the bread crumbs & mixed the arugula with a good glug of the sundried tomato’s oil. Devine! Bright! Rich! Will be a staple!

This is delicious! I used approximately 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt mixed with 1/2 cup of 1% low fat milk and it was a great substitute for heavy cream, and baby spinach instead of arugula. I’ll make this again.

This is simple and amazing! My husband thinks it should be renamed “Marry Me Beans.” My own substitutions - chopped tomatoes instead of sundried and half and half instead of cream. The lemon in the arugula is such a great counterpoint to the richness of the sauce. And leftovers were fantastic - it smelled like our favorite Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side.

Our weekday warrior meal! Phenomenal if you do it by the recipe - & very forgiving with substitutes. Have used ketchup instead of tomato paste, cream cheese or coconut milk instead of cream, etc. - and it always comes out well

used gochujang instead of tomato paste and it was incredible!

I had no sundried tomatoes,but several grape tomatoes that jumped in as subs. No cream, milk and 3 tbs cream cheese. Added chard cuz it was ready and the panko,lemon arugula topping was awesome!! A keeper!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Credits

By Alexa Weibel

or to save this recipe.