Craving comfort food but only have a can of white beans staring back at you? Well, don’t underestimate the power of these little pantry heroes. White beans are like the secret weapon of cozy meals – they’re cheap, filling, and can somehow turn into just about anything you’re craving. Whether you’re looking for a hearty soup, a saucy skillet, or even a grown-up take on beans on toast, these recipes do it all.
Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans
This tomato and white bean dish comes together quickly in a pressure cooker, making it the perfect comfort food to spoon over toasted sourdough bread.
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Escarole and Beans
Escarole and white beans make up this classic Italian dish, creating a simple and hearty meal that’s perfect for a cozy evening.
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Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
This carrot soup brings in a creamy texture from white beans and fresh fennel, making it light enough for spring while still being filling and comforting.
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Escarole Soup
Featuring escarole, white beans, sausage, and pasta, this Italian-inspired soup is a hearty, garlicky meal that makes weeknights feel easier.
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Smashed White Bean Quesadillas
These quesadillas are packed with mashed white beans, kale, and melted cheddar, topped off with a tangy BBQ sauce for a comforting, meat-free meal.
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Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip
This creamy white bean dip is elevated with roasted garlic and cottage cheese, adding a protein boost to every scoop – great for snacking or sharing.
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White Bean Hummus With Cranberries
White bean hummus gets a holiday twist with cranberries, garlic, rosemary oil, and crunchy pecans, making it a festive dip that’s sure to please.
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Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta
This slow cooker Italian-inspired soup brings together white beans, pasta, and fresh spinach in a creamy sun-dried tomato base, making it perfect for busy nights.
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Sautéed Italian White Beans with Kale and Tomatoes
White beans, kale, and tomatoes create a versatile dish that’s comforting enough to stand alone or pair with other meals, bringing Tuscan flavors to your table.
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Creamy Chicken Butternut Squash Soup
Tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy butternut squash come together in this hearty soup, making it a great choice for chilly evenings.
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Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet
This 30-minute Italian skillet meal combines cannellini beans, sausage, and tomatoes in a rich, creamy sauce, perfect to enjoy with crusty bread to soak up every drop.
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Italian Tuna White Bean Salad
Fresh tuna steaks and cannellini beans come together in this Mediterranean-inspired salad, making it a satisfying choice as a main dish or a flavorful side.
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Italian Sausage Butternut Squash Soup
Italian sausage, butternut squash, and white beans make this hearty soup a great option for family dinners and meal prep since it reheats well.
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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
This white chicken chili, made in the Instant Pot, is light yet filling, offering just the right amount of spice for a cold night.
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Loubia (Moroccan Stewed White Beans)
Moroccan-style stewed white beans in a spiced tomato base create a warming and comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly days.
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Cheesy Beans on Toasted Garlic Bread
These white beans are baked in marinara, topped with mozzarella, and served over garlic bread, giving a grown-up twist to classic beans on toast.
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Sauteed Spinach and White Beans
Spinach, garlic, lemon, and white beans cook together in one pan to create a quick and satisfying vegan side dish that’s ready in 15 minutes.
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Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Soup
This Tuscan-inspired soup combines sausage, spinach, pasta, and a hint of cream in one pot, making it a hearty meal that’s ready in just 40 minutes.
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Chicken Poblano White Bean Chili
Chicken, poblanos, and white beans come together in this comforting chili, making it a great choice for a cozy night in or a casual gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Poblano White Bean Chili
Creamy Tomato Butter Beans
Creamy tomato-based butter beans come together in just 30 minutes, making a comforting side or main dish that’s perfect with crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tomato Butter Beans
Chicken Minestrone Soup
This Italian-inspired minestrone with chicken, fresh veggies, and white beans is rich in flavor and makes a great meal prep option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Minestrone Soup
Cheesy White Bean Buffalo Dip
White beans, hot sauce, mozzarella, and cheddar are baked together in this warm dip, creating the perfect party snack to serve with veggies or chips.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy White Bean Buffalo Dip
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
