Cannellini beans are a healthy and delicious bean that's versatile and easy to use!
We're sharing some of our favorite recipes for cannellini beans that include soups, dips, salads, mashes, and as a base for pasta.
Delicious White Bean Salad Recipe
This tasty dense bean salad with white beans, cucumbers, radishes, red bell pepper, and olives is a wonderful meal or side salad!
Asparagus and White Bean Salad
Perfect for spring, this delicious asparagus white bean salad is full of flavor!
One Pot Orzo with White Beans
A fantastic, vegetarian one-pan meal - you'll love this heart white bean, sun-dried tomato, and orzo dish!
Artichoke and White Bean Salad
Roasted artichokes and white beans combine with a zesty dressing for a wonderful, warm lunch recipe.
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Creamy and delicious, this Tuscan-inspired white bean soup will be a hit with the whole family!
White Bean Sun-dried Tomato Dip
Made from store pantry ingredients, White Bean Dip with Sundried Tomatoes can be ready in just minutes, whenever you want it.
White Bean Soup with Chicken
Bursting with healthy, fresh ingredients, this chicken and white bean soup is easy to make and tastes great!
Creamy White Bean Pasta
Fusilli is tossed in a vegan creamy white bean sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, baby greens, and sautéed veggie burgers for a delicious plant-based take on a comforting bowl of pasta.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Beef is slowly cooked with red wine, tomatoes, vegetables, white beans, and artichokes in this hearty beef stew for a delicious Italian twist. Serve it over creamy polenta for a cozy stay-in dinner! It's the perfect dish for a rainy day.
White Bean Soup
This hearty and healthy white bean soup has tons of veggies!
Berry White Bean Smoothie
This delicious protein-packed vegan strawberry bean smoothie is a healthy, simple and refreshing breakfast or snack.
Italian Rosemary Chicken Stew
This Italian-style rosemary chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with white beans, and olives is a great everyday dinner that the whole family will love.
Healthy Vegan Lasagna (Protein- & Veggie-Packed)
Craving an Italian pasta dish fresh out of the oven? This healthy vegan lasagna is high in protein, beans, and veggies and is a wonderful comfort meal that’s irresistibly creamy.
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe and Beans with Garlic
Broccoli rabe with white beans is a flavorful and convenient dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish or main course. This recipe combines the bold flavor of broccoli rabe, red pepper flakes, and garlic. It’s quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
Soupe Au Pistou
Here is an easy version of Soupe Au Pistou made with canned beans and purchased pesto for a simple, fast dinner.
Are canned or dried beans better?
Canned and dried beans are both great, but each has some pros and cons.
Canned beans are easy to use, quick, and keep for a long time. They're easy to keep in your pantry and helpful when you want a quick, weeknight meal. However, depending on the brand, they may be too mushy or lack flavor. Test out a couple of types and decide which brand you like best.
Dried beans tend to have a lot of flavor and can be stored for a long time in their dried form. But they do take quite a bit of time to make, so you have to plan ahead!
Are cannellini beans the same as white beans?
White beans are a bit of a catch-all term that includes cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, Navy beans, and Baby Lima beans.
Cannellini beans are also called white kidney beans or Italian kidney beans. They’re often used in Italian cooking and well known for being included in soups.
Great Northern beans are similar to cannellini beans but are less creamy and more delicately flavored. Navy beans are smaller and quicker to cook. They’re very creamy and good in dips. Baby Lima beans are small and smooth with a rich, buttery flavor. They’re good for serving alongside ham.
Are cannellini beans healthy?
Cannellini beans are incredibly healthy - they’re a great source of fiber, protein, and vitamins. They’re nutrient-dense and help reduce blood sugar.
Are cannellini beans gluten-free?
Yes, cannellini beans are gluten-free unless otherwise specified (i.e. something has been added to them).
How to cook dried cannellini beans?
To cook dried cannellini beans:
- Soak them in cold water for a minimum of 5 hours (overnight works great) then drain and rinse them.
- Add the beans to a pot with at least three inches of water and bring them to a boil.
- Reduce them to a simmer for 1 ½ to 2 hours, checking them after the 75-minute mark every 15 minutes or so to see if they’re done.
- Salt the beans when they are close to being done.
How much does a cup of dried beans make?
A cup of dried cannellini beans will make about 2 ½ cups of cooked beans.
What are some of your favorite cannellini bean recipes? Let us know in the comments below!
Want more great cooking tips, check out our kitchen and cooking guides section.
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