Cajun-Spiced White Bean Stew with Italian Herb Infusion
A warming white bean stew that blends traditional Italian herbs with a Cajun spice kick, reflecting diverse American heritage flavors. This mediterranean-inspired vegan ready in about 50 minutes pairs cannellini beans, cooked, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cannellini beans, cooked
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium (1 cup) yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (1 cup) celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium (1/2 cup) carrot, diced
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes, canned
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 diced celery stalks (about 1 cup), and 1/2 cup diced carrot; sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 tbsp cajun seasoning and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups cooked cannellini beans, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, and 3 cups vegetable broth. Season with 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring stew to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 5: Remove lid, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced White Bean Stew with Italian Herb Infusion take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun-Spiced White Bean Stew with Italian Herb Infusion?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cannellini beans, cooked from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced White Bean Stew with Italian Herb Infusion?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun-Spiced White Bean Stew with Italian Herb Infusion for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cajun-Spiced White Bean Stew with Italian Herb Infusion vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The Italian herb infusion made the stew so aromatic, perfect for a cold night.
- ★★★★★
My go-to vegan stew now. Easy and flavorful!
- ★★★★★
The cajun spice was perfect without being too hot. Great for a weeknight meal.
