Name: Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
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

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.

The dish shows one layer of golden brown toasted bread at the bottom, partially covered by a thick, rich orange-red tomato sauce mixed with white beans and chunks of melted cheese that create stretchy, stringy textures. Bright red pieces of cooked tomatoes and small green basil leaves are scattered on top and throughout, all sitting in a black pan with the bread slightly lifted up by a woman's hand, pulling some cheese strands. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Skillet Pizza Beans Recipe

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.

Flat lay of two pints of halved cherry tomatoes, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white bowl of bright red tomato paste, a small white bowl of dried oregano, a small white bowl with red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of black peppercorns, two white ceramic bowls each filled with rinsed cannellini beans, a small white bowl of vegetable broth, a handful of fresh green basil leaves, torn chunks of fresh white mozzarella cheese in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of grated parmesan cheese, and four slices of rustic crusty bread arranged symmetrically, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

The dish features two layers of golden toasted bread as the base, topped with a thick, orange-red bean stew made of white beans and red bell peppers. On top of the bean stew, there is a layer of melted white cheese with a soft, slightly browned texture and black pepper sprinkled over it. Bright green basil leaves are placed on the cheese and around the plate for garnish. The food is served on a white plate with blue floral patterns, set on a white marbled surface, with a gold fork resting beside the food. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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

Skillet Pizza Beans - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?

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.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

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.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

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.

How spicy is this recipe with the red pepper flakes?

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.