These White Beans in Tomato Sauce are so simple, yet so delicious! Cannellini beans cooked with tomatoes, garlic, and chicken broth make for one tasty side dish. It’s perfect for holidays or easy weeknight meals!
Why We Love This Cannellini Beans in Tomato Sauce Recipe
I could always use more easy side dishes to add to the rotation, especially around the holidays. Something simple, but incredibly delicious. This white bean recipe is exactly that! It only takes about 20-30 minutes to make, but it’s filled with flavor. The mix of beans, tomatoes, garlic, and more just tastes so good!
Variations on Beans in Tomato Sauce
These white beans in tomato sauce are so simple and delicious! For a smoother sauce, try using crushed tomatoes instead of diced. You can also season your sauce with a variety of herbs and spices, like rosemary or thyme. Just about any aromatic herb pairs great with white beans. Stir in a little bit of warmed heavy cream or half-and-half for a creamy version!
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover white beans in tomato sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze white beans in tomato sauce in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these white beans hot topped with bacon bits if you want, and drizzle some more olive oil over the top. Throw in some nice crusty rosemary bread for dipping and you’ve really got it made.
Cannellini beans are a type of white bean. Navy Beans and Great Northern Beans are also included in the white bean category.
Yes, you should drain off the excess preserving liquid in the canned beans to keep the sauce from turning out gummy and unpleasant tasting.
Rinsing the beans reduces their sodium content by about 40%, which helps us to balance the saltiness of the dish more precisely.
Yes, this dish is a great source of fiber and iron, as well as a good source of protein!
More Bean Recipes To Try
- Baked Beans
- Refried Beans
- BBQ Baked Beans
- Ham and Bean Soup
- Red Beans and Rice
- 3 Bean Salad
- Parmesan and White Bean Soup
5-Star Review
“Even my mother in law loved this!” – Linda
White Beans in Tomato Sauce Recipe
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil plus more for serving
- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage leaves
- 4 cloves garlic sliced thin
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes drained (1 large can)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 32 ounces cannellini beans drained and rinsed (2 (16-ounce) cans)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
- Cooked bacon crumbles optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat.⅓ cup olive oil
- Add the sage and sliced garlic. Shake the pan so the garlic doesn’t stick, but don’t stir it because the garlic might clump.¼ cup chopped fresh sage leaves, 4 cloves garlic
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the garlic turns very light gold and the sage darkens a bit.
- Add the tomatoes and salt. Simmer, stirring often, until the tomatoes are shiny and their juices have evaporated; 8-10 minutes.28 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the pepper, sugar, and chicken broth, stirring often, and bring the broth to a boil.½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Reduce heat to low, add the beans, simmer (stirring often) until the liquid has evaporated, 18-20 minutes.32 ounces cannellini beans
- Remove the beans/tomatoes from the heat and stir in the parsley. Season, if needed, with more salt and pepper.2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
- Serve with extra olive oil for drizzling and a sprinkle of crispy bacon (optional).Cooked bacon crumbles
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
How to Make White Beans in Tomato Sauce Step by Step
Cook the Sage: Heat ⅓ cup of olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add ¼ cup of chopped fresh sage and 4 cloves of sliced garlic. Shake the pan so the garlic doesn’t stick, but don’t stir it because the garlic might clump. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the garlic turns very light gold and the sage darkens a bit.
Add the Tomatoes: Add 28 ounces (1 large can) of diced tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Simmer, stirring often, until the tomatoes are shiny and their juices have evaporated; 8-10 minutes.
Add the Broth: Add ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth, stirring often, and bring the broth to a boil.
Cook the Beans: Reduce heat to low, add 32 ounces (2 cans) of cannellini beans, and simmer (stirring often) until the liquid has evaporated, 18-20 minutes.
Season and Serve: Remove the beans/tomatoes from the heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley. Season, if needed, with more salt and pepper. Serve with extra olive oil for drizzling and a sprinkle of crispy bacon (optional).
The listed cooking time of 15 minutes is completely off. This recipe will take around 35 minutes to cook if you follow the instructions. However, it is completely worth the time, as it is incredible.