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Tuscan white bean skillet with cannellini beans, crushed tomatoes, rosemary, and wilted spinach in a ceramic pan

Tuscan White Bean Skillet Dinner

A hearty one-pan dinner of cannellini beans, rosemary, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and spinach. Pantry-friendly, plant-based, and done in 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 370

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil plus extra for finishing
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig about 6 inches long
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 400 g / 14 oz crushed tomatoes one can, good quality
  • 800 g / 30 oz cannellini beans, drained and rinsed two 400 g / 15 oz cans
  • 180 ml / 3/4 cup vegetable stock low-sodium preferred
  • 1 piece parmesan rind optional but recommended
  • 90 g / 3 oz baby spinach about 2 large handfuls
  • to taste fine sea salt
  • to taste black pepper, freshly ground
  • 30 g / 1 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated to serve; skip for vegan

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and pale gold.
  2. Add the sliced garlic, rosemary sprig, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2 minutes over medium-low, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to color.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine and raise the heat to medium. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes reduce slightly and darken in color.
  4. Add the drained cannellini beans, vegetable stock, and parmesan rind if using. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Using a wooden spoon, press 4 to 5 beans firmly against the side of the skillet until they mash into the sauce. This thickens the liquid without adding any starch.
  6. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and the beans are fully warmed through.
  7. Remove the rosemary sprig and parmesan rind. Add the spinach in two batches, folding it in and waiting for each batch to wilt before adding the next, about 2 minutes total.
  8. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and finish with a drizzle of raw extra-virgin olive oil.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.

Notes

A parmesan rind simmered in the sauce adds slow, savory depth - keep them in a zip-lock bag in the freezer so you always have one on hand. If the sauce tightens too much before serving, stir in a splash of stock to loosen it.