Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
A simple bean stew with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
Tender white beans simmered with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs for a filling one-pot meal.
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Beans have a long history in Mediterranean cooking, including the food traditions of Ikaria. This version keeps things simple with canned white beans, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and a little olive oil. It is the kind of meal that can come together on a weeknight without a long list of ingredients.
What you'll need
Let's cook
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so it does not burn.
Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Add the drained white beans and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes and broth should reduce slightly and the beans should be tender and well coated in the sauce.
Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until wilted.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add the lemon juice if using, then serve warm.
Nutrition
Calories
306
Protein
16g
Carbohydrates
46g
Fat
8g
Fiber
14g
This recipe uses canned white beans for convenience. If using dried beans, cook them separately until tender before adding them to the stew. The stew will thicken slightly as it cools.
Rinse and drain canned beans before using them. For a thicker stew, mash a small portion of the beans against the side of the pot during cooking. Taste before adding extra salt because canned beans and vegetable broth can vary in sodium.
Cannellini beans can be replaced with Great Northern beans or another cooked white bean. Kale or Swiss chard can be used instead of spinach. Dried oregano can be replaced with fresh oregano if available.
Serve with whole-grain bread, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables. A small drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon just before serving can brighten the dish.
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Blue Regions reviews recipes and related content before publication and makes corrections or updates when needed. Nutrition information, where provided, is an estimate and may vary. We may use AI tools to assist with writing and visual content. Some images may be AI-generated illustrations rather than photographs of the actual dish. We remain responsible for the content we publish.
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