Tuscan Bean Skillet

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Quick and easy Tuscan Bean Skillet is the weeknight dinner you’ve been looking for! This one-dish skillet recipe filled with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, artichokes and protein-packed cannellini beans is a comforting vegetarian meal.

Heart-warming, full-bodied and flavourful, this vegetarian recipe is ideal for weeknight cooking. It cooks up in one skillet and promotes healthy eating. Made with vibrant Tuscan inspired flavours like: olive oil, cannellini beans, garlic, fresh Rosemary, earthy mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, canned tomatoes, artichokes and fresh parsley. Parmesan cheese for garnish and fresh crusty bread is a must to sop up the juices.

I created this recipe to replicate a skillet meal my Italian mother always made when she needed to feed a hungry crowd on a budget. Since my mother never used a recipe, I tried to use similar ingredients which I know she used and came up with this perfect meal which my family loved.

What is Tuscan Cooking?

Tuscan cooking hails from Tuscany Italy and is characterized by simple delicious food that is soupy instead of being covered in a heavy sauce. Many Tuscan meals start with a base of olive oil and typically will include beans, sometimes meat, onions, tomatoes, artichokes Rosemary and other herbs, and are often served with Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

Ingredients Needed and Tips

• Olive oil – Use extra virgin olive oil for sautéing the mushrooms, onions and garlic.
• Cremini mushrooms – Cremini brown mushrooms add an earthy savoury flavour to the dish.
• Onion, garlic – The base aromatic flavourings of the dish. Don’t slice the onions too thin as they are part of the substance of the dish, but mince the garlic finely.
• Sun-dried tomatoes – Sun-dried tomatoes add an intense sweet-tart flavour. Use sun-dried tomatoes from a jar that are packed in oil.
• Canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste – To create the sauce loose sauce. Purchase canned diced tomatoes or use canned whole plum tomatoes and dice them yourself.
• Cannellini beans – The protein filler in the dish. Use canned beans and be sure and drain and rinse them well.
• Artichoke hearts – Use artichoke hearts packed in water not those marinated in oil. You can usually buy quartered ones but if whole then quarter them yourself.
• Salt, pepper, Rosemary – The essential seasonings for the dish. Ideally fresh Rosemary is best.
• Parsley – For garnish and to add brightness and freshness to the finished dish.
• Parmesan cheese, crusty bread – For serving

How to Make Tuscan Bean Skillet

In a large skillet add the mushrooms and cook until browned and tender.

Add onions, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and sauté until tender.

Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.

Add cannelini beans, artichoke hearts, season with salt, pepper and Rosemary and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and cook until some of the liquid reduces then cover and cook for 20 minutes.

How to Serve Tuscan Bean Skillet

This vegetarian meal cooks in one skillet and can be served right out of the skillet. Garnish with fresh parsley and Rosemary and ladle servings into shallow bowls with crusty bread.

Variations for Tuscan Bean Skillet

• Use button mushrooms instead of cremini
• Use red kidney beans or chickpeas instead of cannellini beans
• Use fresh thyme instead of Rosemary
• Make this a vegan meal by eliminating the Parmesan cheese garnish
• Make this a gluten free meal by eliminating the crusty bread for serving

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Cannellini Beans?

Cannellini beans are also known as white kidney beans, white beans or in Italian, fagioli. They are a dietary staple used in many parts of the world and provide a complete protein. The beans are creamy white in colour with a fluffy texture, a mild flavour, are low in fat and retain their shape when cooked.

What are Canned Artichoke Hearts?

Canned artichokes can be found in the canned vegetable aisle of any grocery store. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavour with a creamy texture. Artichokes have amazing health benefits, are very high in fiber and contain a multitude of vitamins and minerals. For this recipe be sure and use artichoke hearts that are packed in water and not the ones marinated in oil.

Can Tuscan Bean Skillet be Made Ahead?

The dish can be made ahead early in the day or up to 3 days ahead. Simply cool it down and refrigerate it covered in the skillet or in a covered glass storage bowl. Reheat it in a skillet slowly over low heat for 20 - 30 minutes. In fact, the flavours intensify when it’s made ahead!

Tips for storing and freezing

The cooked dish can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 3 months. Simply cool it down and transfer it to a tightly covered glass storage bowl and store or freeze. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in a skillet slowly over low heat for 20 - 30 minutes.

More heart-warming vegetarian meals to love:

• Spicy Vegetarian Chili
• Vegetarian Shepherds Pie
• Eggplant Parmesan

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