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, to taste; 2 cans cannellini beans (15 oz / 400 g each), drained and rinsed; 1 cup broth (vegetable or chicken); 1½ cups shredded mozzarella (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 something so comforting and satisfying about this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe—the way the melted cheese mingles with juicy bursts of blistered cherry tomatoes and hearty cannellini beans creates a dish that’s as cozy as it is delicious. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this easy skillet recipe in your regular rotation.

The image shows a thick orange-red tomato sauce filled with whole white beans and pieces of bright red roasted peppers evenly spread across a black skillet. There are several blobs of white melted cheese with a creamy texture that mix softly into the sauce, some stretching in thin strings as a toasted white bread slice is lifted from the skillet, partially covered by the sauce and beans. Small green leaves are scattered on top, adding fresh color contrast. The sauce looks dense and rich, with visible herbs sprinkled over the surface. The 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 adore this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe because it effortlessly balances simple ingredients into something bursting with flavor, all while requiring minimal fuss. It’s a go-to weeknight meal that feels both indulgent and wholesome.

One-Pan Wonder: You’re cooking everything in one skillet which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Flavor Explosion: Blistered cherry tomatoes combined with garlic, oregano, and melty cheeses create an irresistible sauce.
Hearty & Comforting: The cannellini beans add protein and a creamy texture, making it satisfying without weighing you down.
Easy to Customize: You can tweak seasonings, swap cheeses, or add heat to suit your mood or pantry staples.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this skillet dish pulls its weight, coming together to create a symphony of textures and flavors. Plus, these ingredients are pretty easy to grab at any grocery store, which makes this recipe as convenient as it is tasty.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, two pints of halved cherry tomatoes spread out, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red tomato paste, a small pile of dried oregano, a small pinch of red pepper flakes, two cans worth of drained and rinsed cannellini beans arranged loosely, a small white ceramic bowl of light vegetable broth, a handful of torn fresh basil leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of shredded mozzarella cheese, a separate small white ceramic bowl of grated parmesan cheese, and four slices of rustic crusty bread arranged neatly, 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: This adds a fruity, peppery note and helps blister the tomatoes perfectly.
Cherry tomatoes: I love how their sweetness intensifies when blistered, giving the sauce a fresh tangy base.
Garlic: Fresh grated garlic delivers a punch of aroma and warmth that canned or powdered garlic just can’t match.
Tomato paste: Browning the tomato paste deepens the flavor and adds richness to the sauce.
Dried oregano: It complements the tomato’s acidity with a subtle herbal earthiness.
Red pepper flakes: Optional but I like the faint heat they bring—it wakes up the whole dish.
Salt and black pepper: Key for balancing and enhancing all those vibrant flavors.
Cannellini beans: These creamy beans bulk up the skillet, adding protein and heartiness.
Broth (vegetable or chicken): Adds depth and helps the sauce reach just the right consistency.
Mozzarella cheese: Gooey, stretchy, and melting just right to create that classic cheesy comfort factor.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty layer to balance the creaminess of the mozzarella.
Fresh basil: I always add this at the end for a burst of freshness and beautiful color.
Crusty bread: Essential for scooping every bit of saucy goodness right off your skillet.

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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 like to tweak this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe based on what’s in season or what cheese I’ve got on hand—sometimes swapping mozzarella for sharp provolone or adding a handful of spinach for an extra veggie boost. You should feel free to play around too!

Variation: One time, I tossed in some spicy Italian sausage before adding the beans, which gave it a smoky kick—definitely worth trying if you’re not vegetarian.
Vegetarian friendly: Stick to vegetable broth and use your favorite plant-based cheese to keep it meat-free and just as delicious.
Make it heartier: Stir in cooked pasta or rice at the end for a complete grain + bean meal in one skillet.

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

The dish shows two thick, toasted slices of golden brown bread stacked on a white plate with blue floral patterns. On top of the bread is a thick layer of creamy white melted cheese smeared with black pepper flakes. Surrounding and partly covering the cheese is a chunky orange tomato sauce with large white beans and pieces of red bell peppers. Bright green basil leaves sit on top of the cheese and sauce, adding fresh color. A gold fork rests diagonally on the plate near the toast. The plate is on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Blister Those Tomatoes To Perfection

Heat your skillet over medium-high and swirl in the olive oil. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and resist the urge to stir right away—let them sit for a few minutes until you see their skins start to bubble, blister, and char just a bit. This gentle charring unlocks their natural sweetness, which is the magic that makes this recipe shine. Then stir gently to soften all the tomatoes evenly, about 5 minutes total.

Step 2: Aromatics & Seasonings Boost the Flavor

Next up, add the grated garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat), salt, and pepper. Cook everything together for about a minute until you can really smell those delicious aromas coming off the pan. Browning tomato paste is key here—it brings out big, deep, rich umami flavors that your taste buds will thank you for.

Step 3: Stir In Beans & Simmer

Drain and rinse your cannellini beans well—this keeps your sauce from getting too starchy or thick. Add them to the skillet along with the broth. Stir it all up, bring it to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 10 minutes so the tomatoes soften fully and the sauce thickens slightly. Don’t be shy about tasting and adjusting salt here; you want the sauce balanced but bright.

Step 4: Top with Cheese & Broil

Now the fun part! Turn on your oven’s broiler and sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan right over the warm bean and tomato mixture. Slide the skillet under the broiler for 5 minutes max—watch it closely because the cheese can go from golden perfection to burnt much faster than you think. When it’s bubbling and starting to brown in spots, you’re good to go.

Step 5: Finish with Basil & Serve

Remove the skillet from the oven, scatter fresh basil leaves on top, and serve immediately with toasted crusty bread. The bread is perfect for scooping up the cheesy, tomatoey beans—you’ll want to soak up every last bit of that sauce.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe more times than I can count, and a few simple pointers have really made a difference in my results. These little hacks will help you get restaurant-quality flavor and texture every single time.

Patience with Tomatoes: Let the tomatoes blister properly without stirring too often to develop that rich, concentrated flavor.
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: I learned this the hard way—transferring to a broiler-safe pan avoids extra dishes and potential spills.
Tear Your Mozzarella: Irregularly shaped chunks melt differently, making the cheese topping luxuriously bubbly and varied in texture.
Keep an Eye on the Broiler: Cheese melts quickly and burns faster, so watch it like a hawk those last few minutes.

How to Serve Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe

Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Fresh basil is my go-to garnish every time—it adds a bright herbal contrast to all the creamy, tangy, cheesy goodness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra parmesan or cracked black pepper on top just before serving for an extra flavor boost.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this skillet with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or a side of roasted vegetables. For extra comfort, a bowl of garlic butter sautéed greens like spinach or kale complements the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I’ve served this skillet right at the table topped with colorful edible flowers and extra fresh herbs scattered over the top. It looks gorgeous and feels like something special without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they stay delicious for up to 4 days. I recommend reheating gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to bring back that creamy sauce texture.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well! After it cools completely, pop it into a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slowly on the stove to keep the beans tender and the sauce luscious.

Reheating

Reheat on medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring gently to avoid breaking up the beans too much. If the sauce thickens too much upon reheating, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up. The cheese may lose some of its gooeyness, but it’s still absolutely delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh cherry tomatoes?

You can definitely substitute canned diced tomatoes if you don't have fresh cherry tomatoes. Just drain them well and add them in when you would add the fresh ones. Remember that canned tomatoes won’t blister like fresh ones, so the flavor will be slightly different but still tasty.

Is this recipe suitable for vegans?

This recipe can easily be made vegan by using vegetable broth and swapping mozzarella and parmesan for well-reviewed dairy-free cheese alternatives. Also, double-check that your bread is vegan. It's a fantastic option for those following plant-based diets.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the skillet up to the simmering step and then refrigerate. When ready to serve, add the cheese topping and broil as directed. This is a great way to save time on busy days.

What type of bread pairs best with this recipe?

I usually go for a sturdy crusty bread like a baguette or sourdough that holds up well for scooping up the saucy beans and melted cheese. Toasting the bread with a little olive oil or garlic butter makes it even better.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Tomato Bean Skillet Recipe really feels like a hug on a plate to me—simple, comforting, and bursting with fresh, vibrant flavor. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend lunch, I’m always thrilled to have this recipe handy. I hope you love making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s one of those dishes that just makes the whole kitchen smell amazing and the whole meal feel like a little celebration.