Cozy Cheesy Pizza Beans

Name: Cozy Cheesy Pizza Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup marinara sauce; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 2 cups fresh baby spinach, optional; Fresh basil for serving

Hearty white beans simmered in a savory tomato sauce and topped with bubbly melted mozzarella.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 18, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

25 minutes

Serves

If you love pizza but want something a little different for dinner, this recipe is for you. It uses simple pantry staples to create a meal that tastes like baked ziti but comes together in a fraction of the time.

My favorite thing about this dish is how quickly it comes together on a busy weeknight. I like to toss in a handful of fresh spinach at the end to add some greens, but it is delicious even if you leave it out.

🧺 Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups fresh baby spinach, optional
Fresh basil for serving

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large oven safe skillet over medium heat.
2
Add the onion and cook until it is soft and translucent, which should take about five minutes.
3
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for one minute until the paste smells fragrant and turns a darker shade of red.
4
Add the drained beans, marinara sauce, oregano, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir well and let it simmer for about five minutes.
5
If you are using spinach, stir it in now until it just begins to wilt.
6
Top the mixture evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
7
Place the skillet under your oven broiler for two to three minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling nicely.
8
Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately.

💡 Tips

These beans are excellent served with a side of toasted crusty bread for dipping. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.

#Vegetarian #Healthy #Dinner #Easy #Comfort Food

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