Herby White Bean Tomato Skillet - This herby white bean tomato skillet features creamy cannellini beans simmered with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs until the tomatoes burst and create a juicy sauce. The beans absorb the tomato juices and herb-infused olive oil, becoming incredibly flavorful while maintaining their tender texture. Fresh herbs like rosemary and oregano provide aromatic depth that balances the tomatoes' acidity. Ready in just 20 minutes and requiring only one skillet, this simple dish works as a vegetarian main, substantial side, or saucy base for grilled proteins.

Save

Herby White Bean Tomato Skillet - This recipe succeeds because cooking whole cherry tomatoes until they burst creates a fresh, chunky sauce with brighter flavor than canned tomatoes. The beans aren't just added at the end—they simmer in the tomato juices, allowing them to absorb flavors thoroughly. After testing various herb combinations, rosemary and oregano proved ideal as their robust flavors stand up to cooking without becoming bitter. My approach here emphasizes skillet technique: starting with garlic-infused oil creates flavor foundation, adding tomatoes whole then mashing some creates varied texture, and finishing with fresh herbs preserves their brightness. The resting time after cooking is brief but important—it allows the beans to absorb remaining liquid and flavors to meld. This demonstrates how a single pan, minimal ingredients, and thoughtful timing can create a dish that feels rustic and comforting yet sophisticated enough for company.

Dietary Notes

✓ 20-Minute Meal
✓ One-Skillet Wonder
✓ Pantry Staples
✓ Versatile Vegetarian

♥

Why You'll Love This

Bursted Tomato Sauce: Cooking whole cherry tomatoes until they burst creates fresher, brighter sauce than canned tomatoes.
Flavor Absorption: Simmering beans in the tomato juices allows them to absorb maximum flavor rather than just being mixed in.
Herb Layering: Adding robust herbs early and delicate herbs late creates complex herbal notes throughout the dish.
One-Pan Efficiency: Everything cooks in one skillet, meaning minimal cleanup and all the flavorful browned bits get incorporated.

Herby White Bean Tomato Skillet

👩‍🍳 Author: Chef Nour

⏰ Prep Time: 10min

❄️ Cool Time: 5

🔥 Cook Time: 15min

🥨 Yield: 4

🍞 Method: Sautéing

🌾 Diet: Vegetarian

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Leave a review

restaurant Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves
1 ½ pints cherry tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ cup vegetable broth
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
from ½ lemon lemon zest
to taste salt and black pepper
for serving crusty bread or polenta

Save

✏️

olive oil Olive oil serves multiple purposes: cooking the garlic, creating the sauce base, and finishing the dish. Using good extra virgin olive oil for finishing adds fresh, fruity notes. The oil should be heated to medium to properly cook the garlic without burning.
garlic cloves Slicing garlic (rather than mincing) provides more substantial texture and milder, sweeter flavor when cooked gently. The slices should be thin enough to cook quickly but thick enough to retain some texture. They should be fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
cherry tomatoes Cherry tomatoes have higher sugar content and thinner skins than larger varieties, making them ideal for bursting into sauce. Cooking them whole first, then pressing some, creates varied texture. Their natural juices combine with the oil to create the sauce base.
cannellini beans Cannellini beans have creamy texture that holds up well in saucy dishes. Rinsing removes the canning liquid. The beans should be added after the tomatoes have started breaking down so they can simmer in the developing sauce and absorb flavors.
fresh rosemary Rosemary's piney, robust flavor stands up to cooking and complements both tomatoes and beans beautifully. Chop it finely to distribute evenly. Fresh is preferable as dried rosemary can be woody. The rosemary should be fragrant but not overwhelming.
dried oregano Dried oregano has more concentrated flavor than fresh and releases its oils beautifully in hot oil. Greek oregano is particularly good here. The oregano should complement, not dominate—½ teaspoon is enough for background herbal notes.
red pepper flakes Optional red pepper flakes add subtle heat. Crush them between your fingers before adding to release more flavor. The heat should be background warmth, not prominent. Add with the dried herbs so the spice infuses the oil.
vegetable broth Broth adds liquid to create sauce without making the dish watery. Half a cup is enough to loosen everything and create jus. The broth should simmer and reduce slightly, concentrating flavor. Low-sodium allows control over salt levels.
fresh parsley Flat-leaf parsley adds fresh, slightly peppery flavor. Add it off heat to preserve its vibrant color and delicate flavor. The parsley provides necessary freshness that balances the cooked tomatoes and beans. Chop it just before adding.
fresh basil Basil adds sweet, aromatic notes that complement the tomatoes beautifully. Like parsley, add it off heat to preserve its delicate flavor. Tear or chop it just before adding. The basil's aroma will perfume the entire dish.
lemon zest Optional lemon zest adds bright citrus notes without acidity. Use a microplane for fine zest that distributes evenly. The zest should be from an organic lemon since you're consuming the peel. It provides a fresh finish that wakes up all the flavors.
salt and black pepper Season at the end after tasting, as the beans and broth may already contain salt. Freshly ground black pepper adds subtle heat that complements the herbs. The seasoning should enhance, not mask, the fresh tomato and herb flavors.
crusty bread or polenta This saucy dish needs something to soak up the flavorful juices. Crusty bread provides textural contrast, while creamy polenta creates comforting base. Serve the skillet with your choice on the side or underneath for a complete meal.

list_alt Instructions

1

Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook garlic slices for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned - sliced garlic provides more substantial texture and milder flavor than minced.
2

Step 2: Add whole cherry tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes, pressing some with a spoon to burst them - bursting creates fresh tomato sauce with varied texture.
3

Step 3: Stir in beans, rosemary, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 2 minutes until beans are coated and warmed through - the dried herbs release their oils in the hot oil.
4

Step 4: Add vegetable broth and simmer for 5-7 minutes until liquid reduces slightly and flavors meld - the broth creates just enough sauce without making the dish soupy.
5

Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley, basil, lemon zest (if using), and remaining olive oil - adding delicate herbs off heat preserves their bright flavor and color.
6

Step 6: Season with salt and pepper, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with crusty bread or over polenta - resting allows beans to absorb remaining liquid and flavors to develop fully.

Nutrition Facts

content_copy

Calories 280

Protein 12g

Carbs 38g

Fiber 10g

Sugar 6g

Fat 10g

Sodium 380mg

Potassium N/A

🍽️

Serving Suggestions

Serve directly from the skillet for rustic presentation or transfer to a shallow serving dish. The skillet should be saucy but not soupy. This makes an excellent vegetarian main when served over polenta, crusty bread, or quinoa. Alternatively, serve as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish. Garnish with extra fresh herbs and a drizzle of good olive oil just before serving.

How to Store?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it has dried out. This dish does not freeze well as the beans can become mushy and the tomatoes lose their texture. The herb flavor will fade over time, so refresh with additional fresh herbs when reheating.

Other Recipes You'll L❤️ve

If you enjoyed this Herby White Bean Tomato Skillet or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate you taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!