Pizza Beans – if you love pizza, you are going to love this recipe! This recipe is just like hitting the easy button. It tastes like pizza, is made with 7 simple ingredients in one pot, in about 15 minutes. Oh and kids (and picky adults) will love it. Whether you are looking for a simple dinner recipe or an easy afterschool snack, these cheesy marinara beans are the perfect solution.
If you are looking for more simple bean recipes, you should try my 3 Ingredient Black Bean Dip or Greek White Bean Salad next!
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What are pizza beans?
In case you are wondering, what the heck are pizza beans, essentially they are white beans with marinara and cheese that are eaten on crusty bread or crackers – everything you love about pizza, but with beans!
Ingredients
- Veggies (I used green bell pepper and red onion, as these are my favorite toppings for pizza) – Use whatever you love for pizza here
- Marinara – use your favorite sauce
- Cheese – I used vegan parmesan cheese. You could use regular parmesan or your favorite mozzarella cheese.
- Fresh basil – adds a fresh pop of flavor, you could also use fresh parsley or simply skip this.
- Bread or crackers – use your favorite crunchy bread or crackers for creating that pizza experience at home .
Don’t have marinara on hand?
The reason this recipe is so quick and easy is because we are using a jarred marinara sauce. If you want to make your own, check out my go to homemade spaghetti sauce recipe. It’s ready in just 2 minutes, you will need:
- Diced or Crushed tomatoes
- Balsamic vinegar
- Spices
How to make pizza beans
Chop and cook the veggies: Add veggies to preheated skillet (over medium low heat) and cook 4-5 minutes until soft.
Make the pizza beans: Add marinara, spices and beans to the pan. Cook 5-6 minutes to slightly reduce the sauce and get the beans well flavored. After 5-6 minutes stir in half the parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Add toppings and serve: Take off the heat and add the rest of the cheese and fresh basil. Serve on toasted crusty bread or your favorite flatbread crackers (or homemade crackers).
Top tips
- Rinse and drain the white beans well before adding to the sauce. Tip: I like to soak them in clean water for a few minutes, I find this really helps them become easier to digest.
- Use organic beans if possible, I find they are easier on your digestion.
- Be sure to use a marinara sauce that you love, it really is most of the flavor in this dish.
- Use whatever white beans you have on hand, I used great northern white beans, but you could also use cannellini beans or gigante beans or butter beans (fava beans).
Other additions
- Pepperoni, cooked sausage, etc – after stirring in the cheese on the stove, top with pepperoni and more parmesan and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Top with the rest of the fresh basil and serve.
- Mushrooms , zucchini, red or yellow bell peppers – add these to cook with the green bell peppers and red onion. You may need to add 1-2 minutes of cooking time depending on how many veggies you add.
- Olives, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts – these can be added with the white beans
- Mozzarella cheese – if you prefer a true pizza experience, top the entire (oven safe) dish with mozzarella cheese and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Crushed red pepper flakes for some spice (add this with the salt and garlic powder).
What to serve with this pizza beans recipe
I like to serve the cheesy marinara beans with a simple salad, Greek Salad or a light soup (like this frozen veggie soup).
You can also serve these with air fryer roasted zucchini or sundried tomato broccoli.
Substitutions
If you can’t find a parmesan cheese you love, you can use your favorite mozzarella (regular or dairy free) or replace the parmesan cheese with cashew cream
- To make cashew cream: Soak 1/2 cup cashews in boiling water for 5 minutes, Drain the water. Add cashews and 1/2 cup water to a high speed blender along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth. Pour this mixture in with the beans to create a thick, creamy sauce that will have the same flavors as adding cheese.
What to do with leftovers?
Keep the beans separate from any bread or crackers until you are ready to enjoy. Store the beans in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, on the stove or in the oven until bubbly.
I love serving the leftovers on crusty bread with a fried egg on top the next morning for breakfast.
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
- crusty bread or crackers – for serving
- 1 medium red onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper
- 1 jar marinara sauce – (19-25 oz jar)
- 2 cans white beans, rinsed and drained – 15 oz can
- 1 tsp salt – (or less depending on the sauce you use)
- 1 tsp garlic powder – (or less depending on the sauce you use)
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, divided – dairy free or regular
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil – optional
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Preheat a large skillet over medium low heat. Preheat the oven to 350F if you are planning on toasting your bread in the oven, otherwise use a toaster or crackers for serving.
-
Chop the bell pepper and red onion.
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When hot, spray the skillet with oil (I used avocado oil) add the bell peppers and onions. Cook for 4-5 minutes until peppers start to soften.
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Pour in the marinara sauce, white beans, salt and garlic powder into the pan with the peppers and onions. Stir well and cook for 5-6 minutes to let the beans absorb some flavor. At this point also put the bread in the oven or toaster oven to toast.
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Stir in half the cheese and half the fresh basil. Continue to stir until cheese is melted.
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Take off the heat and add the rest of the cheese and fresh basil right before serving.
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Serve with toasted bread or crackers.
Tips:
- Rinse and drain the white beans well before adding to the sauce. Tip: I like to soak them in clean water for a few minutes, I find this really helps them become easier to digest.
- Use organic beans if possible, I find they are easier on your digestion.
- Be sure to use a marinara sauce that you love, it really is most of the flavor in this dish.
- Use whatever white beans you have on hand, I used great northern white beans, but you could also use cannellini beans or gigante beans or butter beans (fava beans).
Other additions
- Pepperoni, cooked sausage, etc.
- Mushrooms , zucchini, red or yellow bell peppers
- Olives, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts
- Mozzarella cheese – if you prefer a true pizza experience, top the entire (oven safe) dish with mozzarella cheese and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
