12 Quick, Delicious Dinners to Make with Canned Cannellini Beans

Pasta Fazool (Pasta e Fagioli)

Here's a hearty soup that's quick and easy to put together. "This classic Italian-American comfort food works with any kind of sausage," says Chef John. "But I like the fennel and anise flavors of sweet Italian sausage with the beans."

Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and White Beans

This is an incredibly simple recipe that features just five convenient ingredients: cans of Italian-style diced tomatoes and cannellini beans, fresh spinach, penne pasta, and crumbled feta cheese. It's ready in about 25 minutes.

Chef John's Quick Cassoulet

"We've taken some short cuts to make a quick version of the French classic, cassoulet," says Chef John. "Chicken thighs replace the time-consuming duck confit; canned beans replace dried; and bacon serves as a convenient substitute for other, more involved smoked pork options."

Vegetarian Kale Soup

"This wonderful soup is full of dark green kale, potatoes, and cannellini beans," says Donna B. It will warm your insides, delight your taste buds, and fill your stomach on a cold winter's night."

Roasted Vegetable Bowl with White Beans and Garlic-Balsamic Dressing

For a quick weeknight dinner, the potatoes, zucchini, and dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and chilled in separate airtight containers. This recipe first appeared in Allrecipes magazine's Dec/Jan 2020 issue. It comes from Ellie's new cookbook, Whole in One: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan, or Skillet.

Chicken and Tomato Stew with Arugula and Cannellini

"A hearty tomato and white wine-based stew for cold winter nights," says amanda1432. "For lovers of the peppery arugula plant!"

Chef John's Pork and Beans and Greens

Beautiful, crusty caramelized roast pork puts an Italian twist on "beans and greens." You'll make a simple spice rub for the pork shoulder, and serve the pork with cannellini beans sautéed briefly with sliced garlic and fresh arugula.

Tuscan Chard and Cannellini Bean Soup

"This is a hearty, wonderful soup that takes a very short time to make," says Callinectes Sapidus. "If you have a rind from a piece of Parmiggiano Reggiano, add it to the broth as you cook; if you don't, you may want to add grated Parmesan cheese to the soup. This soup thickens as it stands."

White Bean Chicken Breast Chili

The trick to this chili is to sizzle the chicken breasts in a skillet with just a small amount of vegetable oil -- and then to deglaze all the flavorful browned chicken bits off the bottom of the pan. Garlic, ancho and chipotle chili powders, cayenne, cumin, and oregano come together to create a very flavorful white chili.

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

"In this one-skillet supper, we toss dark leafy greens, diced tomatoes, and white beans with gnocchi and top it all with mozzarella," says Breana Lai.

Italian White Bean Chicken

This one-skillet recipe features canned white beans with chicken breasts, garlic, zucchini, and chopped tomato. "This was delicious and so easy," says HolisticMomma. "Never thought it would be as flavorful as it was. Love that it's very healthy too!"

Greens with Cannellini Beans and Pancetta

Here's a forgiving recipe that's a great way to get your greens! "I eat it as a main dish, but this could easily be fit for four to six sides," says recipe submitter Diana. "Feel free to substitute different kinds of greens depending on what's in season, and use regular diced bacon instead of pancetta if desired."

More Simple One-Dish Meals

• One-Pot Dinners Ready in Less Than an Hour
• Super-Easy Sheet Pan Suppers
• Easy and Comforting Skillet Dinners