Italian Baked Beans and Kale Recipe
A simple recipe for Italian Baked Beans, with kale, cannellini beans, and your favorite homemade (or store-bought) Marinara sauce, baked in the oven until golden and bubbling. A delicious vegetarian main! Vegan adaptable and Gluten-free.
How to Make the Best Italian Baked Beans and Kale
Italian Baked Beans and Kale is a humble yet delicious vegetarian main course that brings together simple, quality ingredients for a dish that’s both comforting and nutritious. Featuring creamy cannellini beans and nutrient-rich kale baked with marinara sauce, this one-dish meal comes together quickly and delivers impressive results with minimal effort. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner for vegetarians and vegans alike, and can easily be adapted to your dietary preferences.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. The combination of tender white beans, earthy kale, and rich marinara sauce creates a deeply satisfying main course that feels hearty enough to please even meat-eaters at the table. The generous topping of parmesan and optional fresh mozzarella adds a golden, bubbly finish that makes this dish feel restaurant-quality despite being made entirely at home. Plus, with minimal prep time and a short baking period, you can have this wholesome meal on the table in under an hour.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, planning a vegetarian menu, or simply wanting to incorporate more plant-based meals into your routine, this Italian Baked Beans and Kale delivers on both taste and nutrition. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful marinara sauce and a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Italian Baked Beans and Kale
A simple recipe for Italian Baked Beans, with kale, cannellini beans, and your favorite homemade (or store-bought) Marinara sauce, baked in the oven until golden and bubbling. A delicious vegetarian main! Vegan adaptable and Gluten-free.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
Toppings
Instructions
Preparation and Cooking
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a 9-inch ovenproof skillet or medium-sized baking dish, add the white beans and stir them with the olive oil, salt, pepper and chili flakes.
- Add the marinara sauce and water and mix again. Stir in the kale if adding.
- Shake the pan to level it and sprinkle with the pecorino or parmesan and nestle in the optional mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered in a 375°F oven until bubbling and golden, 25-35 minutes. Feel free to broil for a couple of minutes to get the top extra golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve with crusty bread and a leafy green salad.
