Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake with Garlic Herb Crust
A comforting baked casserole featuring tender white beans, fresh tomatoes, and a golden cheesy herb topping. This italian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs drained and rinsed canned white beans, halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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, drained and rinsed canned white beans
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups drained white beans, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss gently until coated.
- Step 2: Transfer the bean and tomato mixture to a greased 8x8-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup grated mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the cheese and herb crumb mixture evenly over the beans and tomatoes.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese topping is golden and bubbling and the tomatoes are soft.
- Step 6: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving warm as a hearty vegetarian main or side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake with Garlic Herb Crust take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake with Garlic Herb Crust?
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 halved cherry tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake with Garlic Herb Crust?
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 Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake with Garlic Herb Crust 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 Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake with Garlic Herb Crust vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
