This pizza beans recipe is a family-friendly casserole that’s ready in minutes. Two kinds of beans and mini pepperonis are baked in a zesty pizza sauce under a crust of bubbly cheese for a fun and delicious dinner that’s kid-approved.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
What Are Pizza Beans? Made famous by Smitten Kitchen, pizza beans are cheesy, saucy, and full of our favorite pizza toppings. This recipe makes a simple, irresistible dish that could turn anyone into a bean fan!
- Skill Level: It’s a simple recipe with no complex steps, and is easy enough for kids to help with, too.
- Recommended Tools: An oven-safe skillet allows easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Budget Tip: Try adding leftover cooked pasta or garlic bread to stretch the meal.
- Swaps: Use white (cannellini), lima, black beans, kidney beans, refried beans, or lentils and make a new dish every time.
Pizza Beans, Perfect Ingredients
- Beans: Butter beans and cannellini beans stay firm and tender, but you can use any variety of cooked leftover beans or canned beans. Be sure to drain and rinse them.
- Sauce: Use canned or homemade pizza sauce. The addition of tomato sauce keeps it from being too rich or sweet.
- Pepperoni: Mini pepperoni or chopped pepperoni are a pizza classic. Add your favorites like Italian sausage or ham. Or stir in some leftover taco meat or mini meatballs.
- Cheese: A pre-shredded pizza blend or Italian cheese blend can be used, or grate your own.
Favorite Variations
- Add in healthy veggies like shredded zucchini, mushrooms, or bell pepper. Cook them in Step 1 so the dish doesn’t turn out watery.
- Turn up the heat with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Or go for a Tex-Mex flavor and try a shredded Mexican blend cheese with a taco seasoning.
Serving Pizza Beans
Pizza beans are a full-meal deal, but you can serve them with a side of cheesy breadsticks or crostini for dipping, and a simple green salad. Garnish with cracked black pepper and some fresh parsley for extra color.
Pizza-Inspired Perfection
Did you make these Pizza Beans? Leave a rating and comment below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- ½ green bell pepper finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 (16 ounce) can butter beans or large lima beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16 ounce) can cannellini beans or white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 ounce) can pizza sauce
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup mini pepperoni or chopped salami, plus more for topping
- 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large oven safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the beans, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, and pepperoni. Simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and extra pepperoni if desired.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Black olives, spinach, or chopped mushrooms can be added in step 1.
- For heartier beans, 12 ounces of Italian sausage can be cooked along with the onion. Drain any fat and proceed with the recipe as directed.
- Serve with garlic bread or focaccia for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Casserole, Dinner, Entree, Pizza
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