Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Spice up your dinner routine with this easy Tuscan White Bean Skillet. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect with a crusty loaf of bread! A delicious, easy dinner recipe that happens to be casually vegan.
If you enjoy this meal, try my simple and tasty Tuscan chickpea stew next!
I originally published this post on June 21, 2019. I have updated it with new photos and additional frequently asked questions; the recipe is unchanged.
I definitely have a thing for skillet meals. Something about being able to just throw everything in there and be done! Plus, the very word “skillet” conjures up something tasty to me – a meal that’s probably hearty, classic, and easy to make.
Needless to say, this simple white bean skillet chock full of Tuscan flavors checks all those boxes. And a few more for good measure. The dish also happens to be healthy and casually vegan. Like, low-key vegan. It’s not trying or going out of its way to be, it just conveniently works out that way. That’s how we like to roll here! You can read a little about why in this round-up of favorite meatless meals.
Ingredients & Common Substitutions
So, what makes this skillet so great and flavorful? As with all the best meals, it’s just a bunch of fantastic ingredients brought together in a simple, delicious way.
Your shopping list:
- 2 cans white Cannellini beans. Cannellini beans are a large Italian bean that work beautifully in any recipe that calls simply for “white beans.” They maintain a hearty, creamy texture when cooked. Great northern or white navy beans work well as substitutes.
- 1 can artichoke hearts.
- 1 can diced tomatoes – fire-roasted for bonus flavor!
- sun-dried tomatoes – I usually buy the oil-packed kind that is sold in a jar, but the fully dried ones work, as well; they will rehydrate partially as they cook in the skillet.
- kale – or substitute spinach, Swiss chard, or another leafy green.
- yellow onion – can substitute a white onion, sweet onion, or shallots.
- garlic.
- dried oregano, thyme, salt & pepper.
From there, it’s so easy to make. Literally one skillet, throw it all in, cook for awhile, and you’re done.
How To Make It
Chop a large yellow onion. Warm olive oil in a large skillet, and sauté the onions in it over medium or medium-high heat.
Add chopped garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. See!? It’s already looking colorful and pretty!
Quickly add in the drained beans, diced tomatoes with their liquid, artichoke hearts, oregano, and thyme.
Stir everything in, cover it up, and let it cook for about 8 minutes. This will soften the beans, reduce the liquid from the tomatoes, and bring out all the flavor.
Take off the lid, stir in the kale, let it wilt, and season with salt and pepper. Get excited! Dive in with some bowls and a loaf of crusty bread!
You don’t even need to feel bad eating seconds! There’s nothing bad in here, and lots of protein and veg.
Serving Suggestions
Eat this out of bowls with crusty slices of bread. Try sourdough, a baguette, Italian bread, or make your own Dutch oven loaf. Breadsticks are lovely, as well.
For more of a crunch factor, take slices of bread, brush on both sides with a smidge of olive oil, and toast quickly in the oven, on a grill, or in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Heaven!
Storage and Reheating
- Store any leftovers in the fridge, tightly covered, for 3-4 days.
- You can also freeze portions for a quick emergency lunch! Freeze in an airtight container or zip-top bag, removing as much excess air as is possible. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as directed below.
- Reheat in the microwave on full power, or in a skillet over medium heat. If using a skillet, add a splash of water or broth while it warms up, to avoid sticking or drying out.
If you try this Tuscan White Bean Skillet, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. I love hearing how recipes turn out in your kitchen, and it helps other readers, too.
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Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained and roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans white Cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups kale chopped
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly softened. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add beans, diced tomatoes, artichoke hearts, oregano, and thyme to the skillet. Stir to combine. Keep heat on medium, cover the pan, and cook for 8 minutes.
- Uncover the skillet and add the kale, stirring for 2-3 minutes, until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Video
Notes
- Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an added kick of flavor.
- You can substitute spinach or another leafy green for the kale if desired.
We made this for dinner the other night and it is a good recipe, particularly if a person is looking for something that is healthy, calorie-conscious, and filling. My wife is a vegetarian and finding recipes like this is great.
So happy you both enjoyed it, Ben. Thank you so much for sharing this review!
Made this for the first time tonight and it was delicious. Easy, tasty and healthy. Really good!
I’ve been trying for years to get my dad to eat a more vegetarian diet. I have tried countless other recipes and he always scoffed at them and asked for a steak or a burger. Well, this recipe may have flipped him. I’ve fixed it twice now and he loves it!! This will now be a staple for our dinner menu planning. Thank you!!
This is so delicious, and easy! The whole family loved it, so it definitely our new go to for the winter!!
Amazing! Very simple with lots of flavor.
Loved this meal! Very flavorful! The fire roasted tomatoes is a must! I used spinach instead of kale. It is so quick and easy to make.
I’ve made this recipe twice- both times delicious!
First time I followed the recipe, as shown….second time, tonight- in an unplanned pinch of a dinner using what I had/didn’t have from the cabinet…used chick peas, no artichoke hearts (didn’t have any….), and a table spoon of red curry paste…mmmmmm! So yummy!
Thanks for saving dinner!
Delicious and quick to make on a week night! Sprinkled Parmesan cheese over the top and paired with white wine. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I LOVE this recipe! We make it all the time!
This was delicious! I added mushrooms and a half a tsp of red pepper flakes. Thanks for the recipe! I will definitely make this again!
Love the sound of adding mushrooms and more red pepper, Trina! Thank you!
Made this several times- in love with this dish! Crusty bread and a bowl of olives, feta and oil and maybe a glass of Italian wine make this a complete festive meal under the trees!
Fun to make and delish, my family liked it.
This was awesome! It saved me tonight from buying takeout that’s not in the budget!!!
I used mixed beans, and cucumber and Swiss chard instead of the artichoke and kale and it was excellent! Definitely saving this one, thanks 🙂
Aaah, isn’t that the best feeling!? So glad it saved your budget and came out great. Thank you for sharing this!
Made this last night! Excellent as written- so satisfying! Served with crusty Italian bread and a bowl of mixed olives and feta! This one is a keeper!
Sooo good!!! I would add a little red pepper flakes to give it some heat next time but this recipe is a keeper!
This was great!!! I put own spin on it but I’m sure it would have been great as published and bonus – quick, easy and healthy. My twists were adding a few mushrooms, Herb de Province, a handful of pitted calamata olives, and dried juliened sundries tomato instead of the ones packed in old. I topped it off with crumbled blue cheese.
Tasty and quick. I added some fried tofu. I will make this again and serve with chicken.
Very good ! I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but all of the flavors and textures combined very well. I added a small can of mushrooms and served it with brown rice, quinoa, biscuits and olives. My husband loved it!
This recipe was easy & so delicious! I used spinach instead of kale just as a personal preference. Turned out so tasty! If I was eating cheese & bread, I would add Parmesan and garlic bread just to go next level. However, the meal doesn’t need it.
I’m thinking of trying this recipe, looks delicious, however not sure about the artichokes is there an alternative to them?
I would just leave them out!
It is delicious even without it. Definitely making this again! Thank you
I can not say enough good things about this recipe. Although I did add a little red pepper flakes and I subbed the Kale for spinach this recipe was a hit! My husband was skeptical with it having no meat (I am trying to go meatless more during the week) I tried to be sneaky but he noticed lol and he LOVED it. Picked up a loaf of sourdough bread sliced it up and put it in the oven served warmed under the skillet dinner and it was so delicious. Awesome job on this recipe I look forward to trying more from you! Looking forward to the leftovers for dinner tonight.
I am SO happy to hear that! (They always notice, don’t they, LOL?) Thank you so much for sharing this review, Jaylyn, and I’m so glad it was a hit for you!
I am making this tonight. What is the serving size?
I usually divide the skillet into ~four portions and I’d estimate each is a heaping cup – though of course the size varies depending on whether it’s for my littlest or my biggest. 🙂 I hope you like it!
Would this freeze well as leftovers?
Yes! I sometimes freeze individual portions for lunches. Works beautifully!
Delicious, healthy and filling. Almost like a pasta dish without the guilt. I followed the recipe exactly. Topped it with fresh grated Parmesan. I’d definitely make it again. Thanks!
Terrific, Jaime, I’m so glad it was a hit. Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Trying this tonight with white fish.
This was a quick, delicious meal! I did swap spinach for the kale, added red pepper flakes and 2 cans of diced tomatoes and omitted the sun dried tomatoes since I didn’t have any.
Dos this freezer well? It looks awesome, but I’m cooking for one right now. Thanks!
Hi Jen – yes! I sometimes freeze extra portions in single-serve bags, then defrost in the microwave. Makes a great lunch!