Neapolitan Vegetable and White Bean Stew
A comforting, slow-simmered stew featuring seasonal vegetables and creamy white beans, reflecting Naples' tradition of simple, nourishing home cooking. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, peeled and diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, peeled and diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, diced zucchini
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 1 can (15 oz), rinsed white beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, and cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 diced zucchini, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 can (15 oz) rinsed white beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 25 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and cook for 2 more minutes until flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Neapolitan Vegetable and White Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Neapolitan Vegetable and White Bean Stew?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Neapolitan Vegetable and White Bean Stew?
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 Neapolitan Vegetable and White Bean Stew 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.
What goes well with Neapolitan Vegetable and White Bean Stew?
Italian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cozy dinner, the flavors were spot on!
- ★★★★★
My kids asked for seconds. Great family meal!
- ★★★★☆
The stew was too thick for my taste, but it was still delicious.