Recipe Background
Italian baked beans offer hearty, comforting flavors with a cheesy, golden top.
When you slide these Italian baked beans into the oven, the kitchen fills with the cozy scent of marinara and herbs. A bubbling mix of creamy cannellini beans meets the slight bitterness of kale, layered under a gooey blend of mozzarella and parmesan. Each spoonful offers comforting warmth—perfect for sharing around a table with family or friends. Beans are often humble, but in this guise, they take on a hearty Italian flair.
Focusing on texture, the mozzarella turns golden, creating a satisfying contrast to the beans’ softness. Resting the dish for a few minutes before serving allows the cheeses to settle, making slicing a cleaner, more rewarding experience. Consider this a delightful twist on traditional baked beans, one that balances richness with a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes.
This is a dish that doesn’t rush, giving you time to relax while it bakes. Pour a glass of wine, prepare a crusty loaf, and you have the makings of a leisurely dinner. Whether shared or savored solo, these baked beans adapt well to any occasion, inviting you back for seconds with their comforting, layered flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 cups canned cannellini or white beans drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- red pepper flakes optional, to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- lacinato kale to taste, torn, thick stems removed
- 1/4 cup parmesan or pecorino cheese grated
- 5 slices fresh mozzarella can substitute mozzarella, shredded
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a 9-inch ovenproof skillet or a similarly-sized baking dish, add the beans, the olive oil, the salt, the black pepper, and the red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
- Add the marinara sauce and the water to the bean mixture and stir to combine.
- Add the torn kale to the bean mixture and stir to combine.
- Shake the skillet lightly to level the bean mixture.
- Sprinkle the bean mixture evenly with the parmesan.
- Place the mozzarella slices onto the bean mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, until bubbling and golden, about 25-35 minutes.
- Optionally, broil the bean mixture until the top is deeply golden-brown, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve hot.
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