Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato and White Bean Pasta
A comforting vegetarian pasta dish with a rich tomato sauce, hearty white beans, and a touch of creaminess.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Sometimes, you just need a big bowl of comforting pasta. This Creamy Tomato and White Bean Pasta hits all the right notes – it’s hearty, incredibly flavorful, and comes together quickly, making it a perfect meatless Monday (or any day!) meal. The white beans add a lovely creaminess and satisfying texture to the rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz pasta (e.g., penne, rigatoni, rotini)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
Step 3
Add minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, rinsed cannellini beans, and vegetable broth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 5
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is creamy and heated through. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Step 6
Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat thoroughly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a splash of white wine when deglazing the pan before adding the tomatoes.
- Feel free to stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for added greens.
- This dish reheats well, making it great for meal prep! Just add a splash of broth or water when reheating if it's too thick.
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