Name: Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 pints cherry tomatoes halved; 2 cloves garlic grated; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional; ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste + black pepper; 2 cans cannellini beans 15 oz / 400 g each can – drained and rinsed; 1 cup broth vegetable or chicken; 1½ cups shredded mozzarella more or less to taste – or 1 fresh mozzarella ball torn into chunks (about 7-8 oz or 200 g); ⅓ cup grated parmesan; 1 handful fresh basil; 4 slices crusty bread toasted, for serving

There’s just something totally comforting about melting cheese over juicy tomatoes and hearty beans in a skillet. That’s exactly what makes this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe a winner in my kitchen — it’s cozy, satisfying, and ready in no time, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends alike.

The dish shows one layer of golden brown toasted bread at the bottom, partially covered by a thick, rich orange-red tomato sauce mixed with white beans and chunks of melted cheese that create stretchy, stringy textures. Bright red pieces of cooked tomatoes and small green basil leaves are scattered on top and throughout, all sitting in a black pan with the bread slightly lifted up by a woman's hand, pulling some cheese strands. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't get enough of the way this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe comes together with so little fuss but delivers big flavor. It’s like a warm hug on a plate, packed with fresh ingredients you likely already have on hand.

One-Skillet Ease: Everything cooks in a single pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Fresh & Flavorful: Blistered cherry tomatoes add natural sweetness and depth that's better than plain canned sauce.
Cheesy Goodness: The topping of melted mozzarella and parmesan creates this irresistible golden crust you’ll want to dive into immediately.
Versatile & Filling: Beans bring hearty protein and fiber, keeping you full—and it pairs beautifully with crusty bread for scooping.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe is chosen to balance flavor and texture perfectly—juicy tomatoes, creamy beans, and melty cheese create layers that just sing together. When shopping, go for ripe cherry tomatoes and good-quality mozzarella for the best results.

Flat lay of two pints of halved cherry tomatoes, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white bowl of bright red tomato paste, a small white bowl of dried oregano, a small white bowl with red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of black peppercorns, two white ceramic bowls each filled with rinsed cannellini beans, a small white bowl of vegetable broth, a handful of fresh green basil leaves, torn chunks of fresh white mozzarella cheese in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of grated parmesan cheese, and four slices of rustic crusty bread arranged symmetrically, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps blister the tomatoes for that slightly caramelized sweetness.
Cherry tomatoes: I love halving these so they blister nicely and release their natural juices, creating a fresh sauce base.
Garlic: Freshly grated garlic gives the dish an aromatic punch without overpowering it.
Tomato paste: Browning it intensifies the tomato flavor and adds a savory depth you wouldn’t get with just fresh tomatoes.
Dried oregano: A classic herb that pairs beautifully with tomato and cheese flavors.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but a pinch adds a nice gentle heat that wakes up the dish.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.
Cannellini beans: Creamy white beans provide body and protein, soaking up all those wonderful tomato juices.
Broth (vegetable or chicken): Keeps the sauce saucy and adds extra savory notes—homemade or store-bought both work.
Mozzarella cheese (shredded or fresh): Melts gorgeously, creating that gooey, bubbly texture we all crave.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor on top that balances the creamy mozzarella.
Fresh basil: The final fresh herb finish that lifts and brightens the whole dish.
Crusty bread: Perfect for scooping up the cheesy, saucy beans — don’t skip this part!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to tweak this recipe depending on what I have at home or how cheesy I’m feeling. Feel free to customize it to suit your taste buds or pantry staples—this dish really welcomes personalization.

Variation: For a vegan twist, I swap the mozzarella and parmesan for dairy-free cheese options and use vegetable broth. It still turns out comforting and melty!
Add Protein: Sometimes I toss in cooked sausage or diced chicken for extra heartiness if beans alone don’t quite cut it for dinner.
Spice Level: You can dial up the heat with extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of smoked paprika for smoky warmth.
Seasonal veggies: Throw in some chopped spinach or zucchini if you want to sneak in more greens without fuss.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe

The dish features two layers of golden toasted bread as the base, topped with a thick, orange-red bean stew made of white beans and red bell peppers. On top of the bean stew, there is a layer of melted white cheese with a soft, slightly browned texture and black pepper sprinkled over it. Bright green basil leaves are placed on the cheese and around the plate for garnish. The food is served on a white plate with blue floral patterns, set on a white marbled surface, with a gold fork resting beside the food. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Blister the Tomatoes to Perfection

Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and let them cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes until their skins start to blister and wrinkle. This step is key because letting the tomatoes sit without stirring lets them caramelize, bringing out their natural sweetness and depth. When they look blistered and flavorful, stir in the grated garlic, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until you can smell that lovely garlicky, herby aroma.

Step 2: Simmer the Beans in the Tomato Sauce

Stir in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans and the broth. Mix everything well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes—it’ll thicken, and the tomatoes will become beautifully soft, infusing the beans with flavor. If the sauce gets too thick, just splash in a little extra broth or water to loosen it.

Step 3: Add the Cheese and Broil to Golden Perfection

Preheat your broiler. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan over the bean mixture. I usually tear fresh mozzarella into uneven chunks for a rustic melt—that gorgeous bubbly, golden top is the best part. Pop the skillet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, watching closely so the cheese melts and browns without burning. That golden bubbly cheese crust will make this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe shine.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Remove from the oven and scatter fresh basil over the top. Serve immediately with warm, crusty bread—trust me, you’ll want to soak up every last bit of that cheesy, saucy goodness. It’s perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself on a cozy night in.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe dozens of times, and these little tips always guarantee success and flavor that sings.

Patience with blistering: Resist the urge to stir the tomatoes too soon so they develop that rich, sweet char.
Use an oven-safe skillet: It makes going straight from stovetop to broiler a breeze and keeps the cleanup minimal.
Watch the broiler closely: Cheese browns fast and can go from golden to burnt in seconds—stay nearby and keep your eyes on it.
Toast your bread well: Crunchy crust is key to scoop up the beans without it falling apart.

How to Serve Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh basil is my go-to garnish because it adds brightness right at the end. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra parmesan or drizzle a touch of good-quality olive oil for an extra layer of flavor. A handful of baby arugula on the side adds a peppery bite that complements the creamy beans and cheese.

Side Dishes

I often serve this skillet with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to keep the meal balanced. But honestly, it feels like a complete meal just with the crusty bread for scooping and maybe a glass of red wine or iced tea on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve set this up in individual mini skillets for a fun, rustic presentation. You can also add a fried egg on top for brunch or serve it over creamy polenta instead of bread for a twist that feels extra indulgent.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to cool leftovers completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, they keep well up to 4 days. Just reheat them gently on the stove or in the oven to avoid drying out, stirring occasionally.

Freezing

I've frozen this recipe successfully by skipping the cheese topping before freezing. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge, reheat on the stovetop, and then add fresh cheese and broil before serving. This keeps the cheese fresh and melty rather than tough.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I reheat gently on medium heat in a skillet with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce if needed. If you want that fresh broiled cheesy top, sprinkle on some more mozzarella and parmesan and pop it under the broiler for a few minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh cherry tomatoes in this recipe?

Absolutely! While fresh cherry tomatoes add a bright, sweet flavor when blistered, canned diced tomatoes or even marinara sauce work well if you're short on fresh. Just reduce the broth slightly to keep the sauce from getting too watery.

What type of cheese works best for this skillet?

Mozzarella is the star here because it melts beautifully, but you can also use fresh mozzarella torn into chunks for a more rustic melt. Parmesan adds a nutty finish on top. For a twist, provolone or fontina are lovely substitutes, and dairy-free cheeses work fine too if you’re avoiding dairy.

How spicy is this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe?

The recipe includes optional red pepper flakes, so the heat level is completely up to you. I like a gentle warmth that just brightens the flavors without overpowering them. Feel free to adjust or omit the red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! The recipe itself is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free broth and skip the crusty bread or swap it for gluten-free bread. The skillet ingredients—tomatoes, beans, cheese—are all naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for gluten-conscious eaters.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely love this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe because it feels like a hug on a plate that comes together fast, uses simple pantry staples, and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s one of those dishes I keep coming back to when I want something hearty, cheesy, and just downright delicious. Trust me—make this for your next meal and watch it become a family favorite just like it did in mine!