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.)
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!
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.
Why I Love These Tuscan White Bean Toasts
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. (I feel the same way about this Italian Tuna Salad.)
Fruity olive oil. Juicy tomatoes. Creamy cannellini beans. Thickly sliced, fluffy, crusty bread. What more could I ask for?
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.
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.
Recipe Adaptations
- To Make Dairy Free and Vegan. Omit the Parmesan or swap it for the same amount of nutritional yeast.
- To Make Gluten Free. Make sure you’re using a gluten free bread.
How to Store Tuscan White Bean Toasts
- To Store. 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.
- To Reheat. Rewarm leftover topping on the stove over medium-low heat or gently in the microwave. Toast and top the bread just before serving.
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!
Tuscan White Bean Tomato Toasts
Ingredients
- 4 slices of thick, good quality whole wheat bread
- 3 tablespoons plus 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 small shallot finely chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (2 cups, left whole)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ 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
Instructions
- 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 ½ 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.
Notes
- 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
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A lovely dinner for me with a salad with basil vinaigrette and my husband and daughter lied it too, but with sliced grilled Italian sausage added because they feel not having meat means you’re not eating a meal. Anyway, it’s great either way and really fast and easy to make. Thanks for a great recipe!
Vivian, I’m glad it was a hit! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review.
Hi Erin, Just made this with my tomatoes, it was delicious. I love white beans caned are good for me. This will be a repeat for sure only change I made was another teaspoon of vinegar. Thanks again
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this kind review, Norma! I’m happy to hear this was a hit!
I can now make this from memory, we’ve had it so much lately! It’s a lovely buget meal that comes together so quickly.
I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve enjoyed this recipe, Pam! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I can’t wait to try this. But to make it vegan, what could be subbed for the honey? Maple syrup? Agave? Or?
Hi Lori! Agave should work great, and it will have a more neutral taste. You also could try a pinch of granulated sugar. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Looks amazing. I could adapt this with what I have in my pantry right now. I rarely have cannilini beans, but always pinto and kidney. Always cherry tomatoes and always garlic and green onions. A variety of herbs and spices from around the world. Great inspiration for easy meal. Sauteeing to make the tomatoes and greens if using toothsome . Too good. Thank you. gonna give it a shot
Thank you for sharing this kind comment, Judy! I hope you love the recipe!
Wow, this was amazing, I literally never comment on recipes but this one blew my socks off. I’m trying to go plant based and its meals like this that make it SO EASY. I added Kale and didn’t add cheese and it was still SO FLAVOURFUL.
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, Sarah! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is such a simple and hearty meal! I make sure this meal is on my meal plan whenever I know I’ll have a fresh loaf of sourdough. The flavors are even better the next day after they’ve had time to sit in the fridge.
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed the recipe, Giovonne! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I love this recipe! It is quick, simple, and quite flavorful. I make it with two cans of white beans instead of one and I cut down on the honey (1/2 teaspoon honey). I used less than three tablespoons of olive oil and instead just added a bit of water to the pot. One tip I would recommend to anyone making this is to pierce the larger cherry tomatoes with a knife before cooking them so they break down faster (it cuts down on time and allows them to break down evenly). This is a great weeknight meal that comes together well, is quick, and is inexpensive. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Z! Thank you for sharing this kind review!