Description
Easy Mediterranean White Beans and Greens is a quick dinner, healthy lunch, and easy recipe packed with creamy cannellini beans, tender spinach, kale, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon, and herbs. This cozy one-pan meal is perfect for simple dinner ideas, vegetarian food ideas, Mediterranean meal prep, and a nourishing healthy snack-style bowl when you want something hearty without making anything complicated.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 can 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup vegetable broth
2 cans 15 ounces each cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups chopped kale or Swiss chard
3 cups fresh spinach
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
Instructions
1. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add onion, celery, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
2. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, oregano, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift the flavor.
4. Add cannellini beans and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Fold in kale or Swiss chard and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tender.
6. Stir in spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
7. Turn off the heat, then add lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, black pepper, and Parmesan if using.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve warm with bread, rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
Use cannellini beans for the creamiest texture, but great northern beans or butter beans also work well.
Mash a few spoonfuls of beans into the sauce while simmering if you want a thicker, creamier skillet.
Add lemon at the end, not early, so the flavor stays bright and fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 318
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 684mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
Keywords: Easy Mediterranean White Beans and Greens, white beans and greens, cannellini beans recipe, Mediterranean dinner, quick dinner, healthy lunch, easy recipe, vegetarian dinner ideas, food ideas