There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm pan of beans bubbling with rich tomato flavors and gooey melted cheese. This Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe brings together that cozy pizza vibe and hearty beans in one easy, satisfying dish that you can whip up in under 30 minutes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I genuinely love this recipe because it combines the best of pizza and comfort food without the fuss of dough or fancy techniques. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you wanna impress without stress.
- One-Skillet Wonder: You cook everything in a single pan, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development.
- Pizza Flavors in a Bean Dish: Tomatoes, oregano, mozzarella, and parmesan come together for a familiar, delicious pizza taste without the crust.
- Quick and Versatile: Ready in just 30 minutes, it easily adapts with what you have on hand.
- Perfect for Sharing: Serve with crusty bread and watch everyone scoop happily — this dish has that warm, communal feel.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe is all about layered, fresh flavors and texture contrasts. The cherry tomatoes blister to bring out sweetness and acidity, the cannellini beans add creaminess and protein, and the cheeses melt beautifully into a luscious topping. Each ingredient plays a key role, and picking quality staples will elevate your dish.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Brings richness and helps blister the tomatoes perfectly for deep flavor.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness and juicy texture are a game-changer; halving them helps them cook evenly.
- Garlic: I prefer freshly grated garlic here because it melds into the sauce better than chopped pieces.
- Tomato paste: Adds intense umami and thickens the sauce when browned in the skillet.
- Dried oregano: The classic pizza herb — brings that Italian vibe right into your beans.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): I love just a little heat, but feel free to skip if you want mild.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings that balance all the bright, fresh flavors.
- Cannellini beans: Creamy white beans work so well here, but you can swap with great northern or butter beans too.
- Broth (vegetable or chicken): Adds moisture and depth to the sauce — don’t substitute with water if you want fuller flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: A blend of shredded or torn fresh mozzarella creates that gooey pizza topping magic.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharpness and helps create a golden crust under the broiler.
- Fresh basil: Brightens the whole dish and is such a lovely finishing touch.
- Crusty bread: Essential for scooping up all that melty, saucy goodness.
Make It Your Way
What I love most is how flexible this Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe is when it comes to customization. You can change up the herbs, add some veggies, or even swap the cheese depending on what you prefer or have in the fridge.
- Variation: Once, I tossed in some sautéed mushrooms and spinach for a veggie boost — totally delicious and still fast.
- Make it vegan: Use dairy-free cheese or leave it off entirely and stir in some nutritional yeast for umami.
- Spice it up: If you like heat, you can double the red pepper flakes or add a bit of smoked paprika for smoky depth.
- Seasonal touches: In summer, fresh cherry tomatoes are unbeatable, but canned diced tomatoes work well too in colder months.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe
Step 1: Blister Those Tomatoes to Perfection
Start by heating the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once warm, add your halved cherry tomatoes. Don’t stir too much — give them about 5 minutes to blister and soften, so their natural sweetness really shines and their skins begin to char just a little. This step develops the rich, concentrated tomato flavor that’s essential for the dish.
Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base
Next, add the grated garlic, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. This quick tomato paste cooking step is a trick I learned that really deepens the richness — don’t skip it!
Step 3: Add Beans and Simmer the Sauce
Toss in the cannellini beans along with your broth. Give it a good stir, then bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes so the beans soak up the tomato flavors and the sauce thickens nicely. Keep an eye on it—if it seems too thick, splash in a bit more broth or water.
Step 4: Top with Cheese and Broil to Bubble
Hit the broiler on your oven. Now generously layer shredded mozzarella (or torn fresh mozzarella balls) and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the bean mixture. Place the skillet under the broiler for around 5 minutes, keeping a close watch so the cheese melts perfectly and develops those irresistible golden brown spots.
Step 5: Finish with Basil and Serve
Once the cheese is bubbly and golden, remove the skillet from the oven. Scatter fresh basil leaves over the top for a pop of bright herbal freshness. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread — perfect for dipping and savoring every spoonful.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours, these little insider tips will make your Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe taste like it’s coming straight from a cozy bistro.
- Blister with Patience: Let the cherry tomatoes sit long enough without stirring so they get those nice charred spots — that’s where flavor builds.
- Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: This makes transitioning from the stove to the broiler seamless, plus it’s way easier on cleanup.
- Tear Mozzarella, Don’t Slice: Irregular pieces melt into that perfectly bubbly texture rather than a uniform blanket.
- Watch the Broiler: Cheese goes from melted to burnt fast — stay close and don’t walk away during those last 3-5 minutes.
How to Serve Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe
Garnishes
I always top mine with fresh basil — the aroma just lifts the whole dish. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra kick or drizzle a touch of good-quality olive oil before serving for that luxe finish.
Side Dishes
This skillet dish stands well on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables to round out the meal. And don’t forget to have plenty of crusty bread to scoop up every delicious bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual gathering, I’ve served this in individual mini skillets or cast iron pans — it makes for a fun, rustic presentation. You can also scoop it onto baked potatoes or hollowed-out bell peppers for a colorful and hearty twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I find they last well up to 4 days and the flavors actually deepen overnight — a nice bonus!
Freezing
If you have extra, this skillet pizza beans recipe freezes beautifully. Just freeze in portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce smooth. A quick zap in the microwave works too but I recommend adding a splash of broth to keep it creamy and to melt the cheese nicely again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If fresh cherry tomatoes aren’t in season, canned diced or crushed tomatoes will work fine. Just reduce the broth slightly since canned tomatoes have more liquid.
No worries! You can cook the tomato and bean mixture in any skillet, then transfer to a baking dish before adding cheese and broiling. Just be careful when moving it since the pan and contents will be hot.
Yes! The dish itself is naturally gluten-free, just make sure to pair it with gluten-free bread or skip the bread and serve with a salad instead.
It’s very mild as written with just a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes — more of a gentle warmth than heat. You can easily adjust the amount to your taste or omit them completely if you prefer no spice.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals—it feels fancy but is so simple to make. Whether you’re feeding family, entertaining friends, or just treating yourself to some cozy goodness, I think you’ll enjoy how this recipe combines familiar pizza flavors with hearty beans and melty cheese all in one skillet. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll quickly become a favorite you reach for again and again.
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Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pizza Beans is an easy one-skillet recipe featuring blistered cherry tomatoes, cannellini beans simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Served warm with crusty bread, this comforting dish offers a delicious twist on classic pizza flavors.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste + black pepper to taste
- 2 cans cannellini beans 15 oz / 400 g each can – drained and rinsed
- 1 cup broth vegetable or chicken
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella (or 1 fresh mozzarella ball torn into chunks about 7-8 oz or 200 g)
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan
- 1 handful fresh basil
- 4 slices crusty bread toasted, for serving
Instructions
- Blister the tomatoes: Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 pints halved cherry tomatoes and cook about 5 minutes, until the skins start to blister.
- Add aromatics and seasonings: Stir in 2 cloves grated garlic, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring continuously.
- Add beans and simmer: Stir in 2 cans of drained and rinsed cannellini beans and 1 cup of broth (vegetable or chicken). Mix well, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the sauce to thicken.
- Add cheese and broil: Preheat your oven broiler. Evenly top the skillet with 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or torn fresh mozzarella chunks, and sprinkle ⅓ cup grated parmesan over the top. Broil for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown in spots.
- Finish and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle 1 handful of fresh basil on top. Serve warm with 4 slices of toasted crusty bread to scoop up the saucy beans and melted cheese.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use avocado oil or light olive oil instead of extra virgin olive oil.
- Swap cherry tomatoes for marinara sauce or canned diced, crushed, or whole peeled tomatoes.
- Replace fresh garlic with garlic powder or roasted garlic.
- Tomato paste can be swapped with tomato passata or marinara sauce.
- Use Italian seasoning or dried basil instead of dried oregano.
- Cannellini beans can be substituted with great northern beans, butter beans, or chickpeas.
- Vegetable broth can be replaced with water plus a pinch of salt or chicken broth.
- Use cheddar, crumbled feta, provolone, fontina, or dairy-free mozzarella instead of mozzarella.
- Parmesan can be substituted with pecorino Romano cheese.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with fresh oregano or basil pesto.
- Instead of crusty bread, serve with whole grain toast or warm pita.
- Tips: Blister the tomatoes well by letting them cook undisturbed to develop deep, sweet flavor.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to easily transfer from stovetop to broiler for less cleanup.
- Brown the tomato paste briefly to enhance richness and depth.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding broth or water if it gets too thick during simmering.
- Tear mozzarella into irregular pieces for better melting and a bubbly top.
- Watch the broiler closely as cheese browns quickly in the final moments.
- Serve with great bread to make the meal hearty, satisfying, and budget-friendly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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