Pizza Beans
This easy weeknight recipe features white beans simmered in homemade red sauce, topped with bubbling mozzarella. It tastes like pizza!
Posted by Kathryne Taylor on April 30, 2026
What are pizza beans? Theyโre hearty white beans that taste like pizza, of course, simmered in a marinara-like sauce and topped with bubbling mozzarella cheese. Deb came up with the concept, and Iโm a huge fan.
Today, Iโm sharing my spin with canned beans, optional spinach, and a rich tomato paste-based sauce that tastes like itโs been simmering on the stove for hours. Itโs cheesy and satisfying like baked ziti, but more wholesome and easier to make.
These pizza beans are so good and simple that this dish kinda feels like cheating. Itโs an easy weeknight meal for cooler days. I bet you already have the ingredients in your pantry!
Your Pizza Bean Options
Youโll find the full recipe further below. Hereโs what to consider before you get started on this quick and simple dish.
Choose your beans: Chickpeas offer a tender but more prominent bite. Cannellini or Great Northern beans are a bit softer and break down more. You canโt go wrong; I love them all.
Mash your beans: If you have a minute to spare, use a fork to mash up about 1/2 cup of the beans, which releases their starches and yields a thicker sauce. I recommend it.
Add spinach (or donโt): You can add up to one whole container of baby spinach to bulk up this dish with extra nutrients and plant-based protein. Even with all that spinach, it doesnโt change the dishโs flavor or texture much.
Add more toppings: Treat this dish like pizza and add any toppings youโd like on top of the cheese.
Watch How to Make Pizza Beans
Serving Suggestions
This hearty skillet-based meal is well-balanced on its own, especially if you include the spinach for some greens. You might enjoy toasted slices of crusty sourdough on the side or crostini, for scooping. Take it to the next level with my Roasted Garlic Bread. For added protein, add a fried egg or two.
I always love to start my meal with a salad. Here are a few that would go well with this dish.
- Cucumber Tomato Salad with Greek Dressing: Serve this Mediterranean-style salad in the warmer months to lighten your meal.
- The Little Green Salad: Always a great choice! Keep it simple, or choose some of the suggested seasonal toppings.
- Spinach Salad: Serve this showstopper instead of adding spinach to the beans. Balsamic vinegar pairs well with the pizza flavors.
Please let me know how your recipe turns out in the comments! I love hearing from you.
Pizza Beans
This easy weeknight meal features flavorful white beans simmered in homemade red sauce, topped with bubbling mozzarella! Itโs a pantry-friendly recipe thatโs even more satisfying than take-out. Recipe yields 4 hearty servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, cannellini or Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- ยผ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, halved and very thinly sliced
- ยฝ teaspoon fine salt, divided
- 3 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 jar (6 to 7 ounces) tomato paste
- 5 ounces baby spinach (optional)
- โ cup water
- 4 ounces (1 packed cup) freshly grated low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Torn fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Roughly mash about ยฝ cup of the drained beans with a fork in a bowl, then set it aside (this step is optional but yields a nicer, thickened texture).ย
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high in a medium (10-inch) stainless steel or oven-safe skillet. Add the onion and ยผ teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until the garlic edges turn golden, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato paste (watch out for oil splatters), scraping down the browned bits and cook for 30 seconds, reducing the heat as needed to prevent the garlic from burning.
- If using the spinach, add about half of it first, then stir until its bright green and shrunken, about 20 seconds. Repeat with the remaining spinach.ย
- Add the beans (including the mashed beans), water and the remaining ยผ teaspoon salt. ย Stir to combine, and use your spatula to scrape any browned bits in the pan into the mixture. Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, then bake until the cheese is nicely melted, about 7 to 9 minutes.ย
- Let the skillet cool for at least 5 minutes, then top with basil, if using, and serve warm. (Remember that the skillet handle is still very hot!) Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Gabyโs Skillet Cheesy Chickpeas, The Kitchnโs Pizza Beans and Ali Slagleโs Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake.
Make it vegan: Omit the mozzarella, and add dollops ofย Vegan Sour Cream instead.
Change it up: Treat this dish like a pizza, and add more toppings on top of the cheese!
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionistโs advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
This sounds delicious! What is your preferred brand of jarred tomato paste for this recipe?
Thanks!
Love all your recipes!!!!
Hi Mary, I like the Mutti when using the tubes, but the entire tube is less than 5 ounces, so for a recipe when I need more, I like the jars of Bionaturae. Kirkland brand from Costco is also good and comes in a 6 ounce jar.
Yum! I wonder if this recipe would work in a Betty Crocker?
Hi Sylvia, Iโm not sure what you mean by a Betty Crocker?
I have made Debโs recipe from her cookbook. I am anxious to try your recipe, it looks easier. I am sure it will be fantastic!
This was an easy Friday night dinner. I modified it a bit โ used 3 cans of beans, and 2 1/2 cups of marinara sauce that I had in the pantry, instead of the tomato paste. I also made cornbread on the side, and a Little Green Salad. Easy, and yummy!
thatโs pizza beans
This was AMAZING!!!!!
So Good! I added a thinly sliced poblano pepper with the onion just because I love them, and added the optional spinach. Served with some crusty bread. Rich and satisfying!
Hi Leslie, Iโm so gald you enjoyed it. The poblano sounds like a wonderful addition for some spice.
I made this delicious recipe today for lunch. Itโs so good. It will be in our regular rotation.
Delicious and so easy! I made this as soon as I got the email. It DOES taste like pizza! A super satisfying, quick dish to meal prep. Will definitely be making again.
This was so delicious and easy! I used frozen spinach and plain olโ Aldi tomato paste and it turned out great. Definitely will try the additional toppings idea next time. Thanks for another great recipe, Kate!