This cheesy white bean tomato bake is loaded with flavor and so easy. Cheesy white bean and tomato bake is rich, cheesy, loaded with tomatoes, and so delicious.

I love beans. They’re so healthy and delicious. This slow cooked bake takes full advantage of that by pairing them with other healthy ingredients and then adding some cream cheese, mozzarella and romano cheese goodness!
Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake
This was inspired by my bean soup recipe and my smoked BBQ Beans that features beans along with so many other delicious ingredients.
This dish pairs well with this amazing pork tenderloin recipe or if serving appetizers our cheesy bacon ranch bean dip.
Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. You’ll find them all easily at your local grocery store.
- Cannellini beans, drained
- Minced garlic
- Minced shallot
- Fire roasted tomatoes
- Salt
- Parsley
- White pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Softened, cubed cream cheese
- Romano cheese block
- Mozzarella cheese block
- Basil leaves
- Sliced bread
See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.
Instructions
This recipe is so simple. It only takes a few steps and some time in the slow cooker. That’s it!
Step 1: Prep
Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Shred the cheeses into a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Veggies and Cream Cheese
Add the drained beans, garlic, shallot, tomatoes, salt, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and cream cheese and lightly stir. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Step 3: Add the Cheese
Add all but ¼ cup of the cheese to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Finish the Bake
Thinly slice the basil and fold it into the bake. Then, top it with the rest of the cheese and bake for another 30 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted. Garnish with a pinch of basil and pepper and enjoy with bread.
Hint: It’s important to shred your own cheese if possible. Packaged cheese doesn’t melt and combine as well due to added ingredients to prevent clumping.
Substitutions
Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this white bean tomato bake.
- Cannelli Beans – Use great northern beans or navy beans in a pinch
- Basil – Instead use oregano, tarragon or parsley. Even cilantro will work in a pinch if you enjoy cilantro
- Shallot – Use diced onion and minced garlic instead
- Fire Roasted tomatoes – Use regular diced, canned tomatoes or another flavor of diced tomatoes
- Mozzarella Cheese – Provolone, white cheddar, swiss and gouda will work best
- Romano Cheese – Parmesan or Asiago or Grana Padano will substitute in a pinch
Variations
Want to personalize this cheesy white bean and tomato bake recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.
- Spicy – Add chili pepper flakes, some hot sauce like tobasco or sriracha, sliced or diced hot peppers like jalapenos or serrano, cayenne, poblano, banana peppers or your favorite
- Meat – Add diced ham, cooked sliced sausage or cooked chicken chunks
- Beans – Use marrow, kidney beans, lima beans, garbanzo (chickpeas), black beans or a combination work beautifully too.
- Olives – Add your favorite sliced green or black olives
- Leafy Green Vegetables – Add baby spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, watercress or shredded cabbage
- Other Vegetables – Like shredded carrots, celery, corn, broccoli, parsnips or turnip
- Cook in Oven – Cook for 20 to 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this slow cooker vegetarian chili or our turkey chili with biscuits. Both are so good and definitely worth a try.
Equipment
You’ll only need some basic kitchen equipment to make this recipe.
- Bowl
- Cheese grater
- Slow cooker
- Measuring cup and spoons
- Spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Tips
This recipe is simple and easy to make, but I still have a couple of tips to help you make it the best it can be. These are easy tips, but they make a difference.
- Softening your cream cheese is important. It’s the only way to ensure that it melts soon enough and thoroughly enough to mix well into the other ingredients.
- If at all possible, grate your own cheese. Pre-packaged shredded cheese is loaded with additives that inhibit its ability to melt properly. As time consuming as it is it is totally worth it.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this cheesy white bean tomato bake? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about cheesy white bean and tomato bake.
This cheesy white bean tomato bake will keep refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Pop it in the microwave in a covered bowl and heat at 1-minute intervals until hot. Stir between every interval. You can also heat it back up in your slow cooker for an hour on high or bake it at 350 for about 20 minutes on the top rack.
All white beans work in this delicious recipe like navy, marrow, cannellini, or great northern beans but don’t stop there. Kidney beans, lima beans or garbanzo (chickpeas), and black beans or a combination work well too.
Cook for 20 to 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Do you like using the slow cooker? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Cheese grater
- Knife
- cutting board
- spoon
- Measuring cup and spoons
- bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz) Cannellini beans drained, aka white kidney beans
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 can (14 oz) Fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 brick (8 oz) cream cheese softened and cubed
- 1 block (6 oz) Romano cheese
- 1 block (6 oz) Mozzarella cheese block
- ½ cup Basil leaves
For Serving
- Sliced Bread
- Crackers
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the drained beans, garlic, shallot, tomatoes, salt, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and cream cheese.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Shred the cheese into a bowl. Set aside 1⁄4 cup, and add the rest to the slow cooker. Stir gently and cook for 30 minutes.
- Thinly slice the basil and fold into the slow cooker. Top with the rest of the cheese. Cover and cook for 30 more minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.
- Garnish with a pinch of basil and pepper.
- Serve with crackers or bread.
- Enjoy every bite.
Notes
- Be sure to use blocks of cheese, pre-shredded will not melt and combine as smoothly due to preservatives used to prevent it from melting/sticking together.
- Cook for 20 to 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
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