Creamy, Spicy Tomato Beans and Greens 

Published April 24, 2024

Creamy, Spicy Tomato Beans and Greens 
Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne.
Total Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(8,893)
Comments
Read comments

This weeknight wonder is for those who delight in turning a modest can of beans into a spectacular dinner. Inspired by the flavors of red pesto, this recipe calls for simmering cannellini beans with staple ingredients like onion, garlic, crushed red pepper, tomato paste and heavy cream, as well as sun-dried tomatoes and salty Pecorino, until the results taste complex and rich. Top the beans with a lemony arugula salad that is peppered with fried bread crumbs for a dish that is crunchy, chewy, crispy and creamy in every bite. 

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 6tablespoons olive oil
  • cup panko bread crumbs
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1medium yellow onion, minced
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • ½teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • cup tomato paste
  • 2(14-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other creamy white beans, rinsed
  • 1cup heavy cream
  • ½cup chopped jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil
  • cup finely grated Pecorino or Parmesan 
  • 4(packed) cups/3 ounces baby arugula 
  • 2teaspoons finely grated lemon zest plus 4 teaspoons juice (from 1 lemon)
  • Toasted bread (optional), for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

774 calories; 47 grams fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 22 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 71 grams carbohydrates; 13 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 23 grams protein; 1062 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium. Stir in the panko, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently and shaking the pan, until toasted and golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer seasoned panko to a paper-towel lined plate, then wipe out the skillet.

  2. Step 2

    Add another 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium. Add the onion, garlic and crushed red pepper, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add the tomato paste and stir until darkened and mixture is combined, about 3 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in beans, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes and ⅓ cup water, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, about 5 minutes. Stir in half the cheese, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

  5. Step 5

    In a medium bowl, toss the arugula with the seasoned panko, lemon zest and juice, plus the remaining ⅓ cup cheese and 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Pile the greens at the center of the bean mixture. Serve with toasted bread, if desired.

Ratings

5 out of 5
8,893 user ratings
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Comments

To make this vegan: I used a can of coconut cream instead of cow cream & added about a teaspoon of whole grain mustard and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast to the beans. I added about a teaspoon each of nutritional yeast & paprika to the bread crumbs & mixed the arugula with a good glug of the sundried tomato’s oil. Devine! Bright! Rich! Will be a staple!

This is delicious! I used approximately 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt mixed with 1/2 cup of 1% low fat milk and it was a great substitute for heavy cream, and baby spinach instead of arugula. I’ll make this again.

This is simple and amazing! My husband thinks it should be renamed “Marry Me Beans.” My own substitutions - chopped tomatoes instead of sundried and half and half instead of cream. The lemon in the arugula is such a great counterpoint to the richness of the sauce. And leftovers were fantastic - it smelled like our favorite Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side.

I made this exactly as the recipe stated and there could never be enough ‘M’s’ in YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!! Ps… I did not know that I like Canelli beans or any beans for that matter. Creamy but also bright and very slightly spicey.

Really delicious! I kept the salad separate from the beans. While the salad was tasty too, and the sharp lemon and arugula flavours cut through the rich heaviness of the beans, I found it a bit fussy - next time I might just do a simpler mix of lamb's lettuce and arugula without all the panko etc.

I loosened the sauce with some champagne I had left over was amazing! Made this three time now, a family fav!

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