Tuscan White Bean Toasts with Garlic and Tomatoes

Name: Tuscan White Bean Tomato Toasts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 4 slices of thick, good quality whole wheat bread; 3 tablespoons, plus 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided extra virgin olive oil, divided; 1 small shallot, finely chopped; 1 pint cherry tomatoes (2 cups), left whole; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 3 cloves minced garlic; 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon honey; 1 (15-ounce) can reduced sodium white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained; 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, plus additional to taste; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Jump to Recipe August 31, 2018

16 comments »

I have simple, splendid, how can something this easy taste this good Tuscan White Bean Tomato Toasts with Garlic and Tomatoes for you today! This easy-yet-excellent recipe is in honor of the country to which Ben and I took off last night: ITALY!!! (Follow me on Instagram for updates.)

Simple and delicious Tuscan White Bean Tomato Toasts. Creamy white beans, bursting cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic, served over toasted bread. A fast and easy, filling vegetarian recipe thatâ€™s great for easy, healthy, and budget friendly lunches and dinners!

Yes friends, assuming the TSA let me through security with my big bag of snacks, as this post goes to press we are in the Cinque Terre, our first stop en route to Tuscany.

Remember two weeks ago when I cryptically mentioned that I have a few Big Exciting Things in the works? This trip is one of them!

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I hope we are enjoying an ocean view, full glasses of wine, and a meal like these White Bean Toasts with Garlic and Tomato.

I hate to call this recipe easy, because that makes it not seem special.

Here’s the thing though: it is easy. And it is special.

White Bean Ragu on Toast with Tomatoes

For me, these Tuscan-inspired toasts exemplify what I most adore about Italian cooking: straightforward, uncomplicated, and beautiful ingredients uniting to become greater than their individual parts.

Fruity olive oil. Juicy tomatoes. Creamy cannellini beans. Thickly sliced, fluffy, crusty bread. What more could I ask for?

Cannellini beans served on toast with tomato and garlic

The topping for these smashed white bean toasts is a twist on Tuscan white bean ragout, which typically takes several hours to cook. I cut that time down to 20-ish minutes by using canned cannellini beans in place of dry. I have no regrets.

The beans are still delightfully creamy. When combined with the olive oil, garlic, and the caramelized juices from the burst cherry tomatoes, they transform into the kind of meal that you almost never get around to sitting down to eat because you fill up munching it right from the pan.

Tuscan white beans with sauteed cherry tomatoes served on toasted bread.

Do try to save some of white bean topping for the toast though because BREAD.

Take a lesson from the Italians and don’t skimp here. Treat yourself to a good quality artisan loaf, slice it thickly, and savor every bite.

Delicious smashed white beans on toast with tomatoes.

I’ll be doing my best to keep my laptop away during our trip, but you can follow along with our adventures on Instagram, especially my stories. Buon appetito!

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5 / 5 (2 Reviews)

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Tuscan White Bean Tomato Toasts

Simple, delicious Tuscan White Bean Toast. Ready in 20 minutes! Toasted bread topped with creamy Italian white beans, burst cherry tomatoes, and garlic.

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

4 slices of thick, good quality whole wheat bread
3 tablespoons, plus 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes (2 cups), left whole
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 (15-ounce) can reduced sodium white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, plus additional to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Directions:

Place a rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bread in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush each side with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip the slices and return to the oven. Continue baking until the bread is nicely toasted, about 5 additional minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and their juice begins to caramelize in the skillet, about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the garlic, red wine vinegar, and honey. Let cook 30 seconds, or until just fragrant, then stir in the white beans. Let cook 1 to 2 minutes, until the beans are warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. I like to leave the beans like this, but if you like, you can lightly smash them for a more creamy topping.
To serve, arrange the toasted bread slices on plates. Top with generous spoonfuls of the tomato bean mixture, then sprinkle with Parmesan and thyme. Enjoy immediately.

Once topped, these toasts are best enjoyed right away. The bean and tomato mixture, however, can be stored on its own in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Rewarm on the stove and top the bread just before serving.
To make dairy free (and vegan), omit the Parmesan or swap it for the same amount of nutritional yeast. To make gluten free, use gluten free bread.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 (of 4)

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 343 Calories
Total Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 39g
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 6g
Protein: 11g

Did you try this recipe? I want to see! Follow Well Plated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

Simple and delicious Tuscan White Bean Tomato Toasts. Creamy white beans, bursting cherry tomatoes, and garlic, served over toasted bread. A fast and easy, filling vegetarian recipe that’s great for easy, healthy, and budget friendly lunches and dinners! #wellplated #whitebeans #vegetarian #healthy #toast

This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

posted in 30 Minute Meals, Any Season, Dairy Free, Entrees/Main Dishes, Gluten Free, Healthy Savory Dishes, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

16 comments »

16 comments

Chris W. — August 31, 2018 @ 4:05 pm Reply

This sounds heavenly – and we have about a gazillion tomatoes to work with. Our cherry tomatoes are SO sweet! I’d just need to figure out what would go with this to make it an actual meal – maybe a nice mixed greens tossed salad with a good homemade dressing? Anyway, have a wonderful vacation!
- Erin — September 1, 2018 @ 12:48 am Reply
  
  Chris, I can only imagine how dreamy this will taste with your tomatoes! And I think a green salad sounds perfect. I hope you enjoy it!
Laurie Hansen — August 31, 2018 @ 5:52 pm Reply

These Tuscan Toasts sound delicious! What a great idea! I was needing an appetizer for some upcoming dinners this week-end – and this fills the bill! I’ll make them smaller – probably on baguette rounds. So happy for you and Ben getting to go to Italy! Have a super time! My brother and his wife are going there in October and another friend is going there in December! I’ll fill them in on all I learn from you about Tuscany!
- Erin — September 1, 2018 @ 12:42 am Reply
  
  Laurie, these would be delicious as an app! Thanks so much for the kind travel wishes too. Have a great weekend!
Nicolas Hortense — August 31, 2018 @ 6:32 pm Reply

Loving this Erin!! Looks perfect for a quick lunch (:
- Erin — September 1, 2018 @ 12:40 am Reply
  
  Thanks Nicolas!
Gaby Dalkin — September 2, 2018 @ 9:16 am Reply

Now I’ll definitely be observing #ToastTuesday this week!
- Erin — September 5, 2018 @ 8:29 am Reply
  
  #ToastTuesday needs to happen more in my life too!
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite — September 2, 2018 @ 11:11 pm Reply

Can’t wait to try this recipe!! Love the idea of serving beans on toast…reminds of of hummus, in a way. Also….Have so much fun in Italy!!! I loved my trip there this summer :)
Anyuta — September 3, 2018 @ 11:29 am Reply

I love the Cinque Terre region! I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.
- Erin — September 5, 2018 @ 8:43 am Reply
  
  It’s been magical so far, thank you Anyuta!
[email protected]'s Kitchen — September 4, 2018 @ 9:25 pm Reply

Beautiful, simple, and delicious! Thanks for a great recipe! Looks like the perfect way to use up the last few tomatoes from my garden.
Eileen — September 15, 2018 @ 7:37 pm Reply

We are big eaters, and my husband and I scarfed down the whole recipe for dinner. It was perfect for a tired Friday night. We both would have liked this a little more saucy, so next time I’ll retain some of the bean cooking liquid. We’ll definitely make this again and probably soon, since it’s finally tomato season in Northern CA.

Rating: 4.5
- Erin — September 16, 2018 @ 9:53 am Reply
  
  YAY Eileen!! Thanks for sharing! You can mash the beans and tomatoes a bit more if you’d like extra saucy too. Send some of those tomatoes our way ;-)
Carole — September 17, 2018 @ 9:15 pm Reply

Excellent!

Rating: 5
- Erin — September 19, 2018 @ 10:38 am Reply
  
  I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Carole! Thanks for giving it a try and reporting back!

Tuscan White Bean Toasts with Garlic and Tomatoes