Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Toppings
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 4 to 5 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped green peppers
- 1 tablespoon sliced black olives
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the beans and toppings.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small 5-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet, add the drained white beans. Stir in marinara sauce, dried oregano, garlic powder, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to infuse the beans with pizza-inspired flavors.
- Arrange and Top: Spread the bean mixture evenly in the dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the top. Distribute halved cherry tomatoes, chopped green peppers, and sliced black olives evenly on the surface for added taste and texture.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheeses have melted thoroughly.
- Broil (Optional): For a golden, slightly crisp cheese topping, broil the dish for an additional 1 to 2 minutes—but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh basil leaves, and serve the pizza beans warm, ideally accompanied by crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- The Parmesan cheese is optional but adds an extra depth of flavor.
- Feel free to customize toppings with other pizza favorites like mushrooms or onions.
- Use an oven-safe skillet if you don’t have a small baking dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
