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Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
Ikaria Longevity Recipes Dinner Plant-Based

Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet

A simple skillet meal with white beans, tomatoes, peppers, greens, and herbs.

A one-pan vegetable and bean skillet made with white beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, greens, garlic, and herbs.

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By Jentezen Reed, Ph.D. October 8, 2026 Blue Regions contributor

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

Total

40 min

Serves

4

Difficulty

Easy

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About this recipe

Beans and vegetables are common foundations of everyday Mediterranean-style cooking. This skillet is a modern home-style recipe rather than a traditional dish from one specific Blue Region. It brings several simple plant foods together in a single pan with minimal preparation.

What you'll need

Ingredients

Servings 4
  • 2 tbsp
  • 1 medium
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 medium
  • 1 medium
  • 1 14.5-ounce can
  • 2 15-ounce cans
  • 1 tsp
  • 1/2 tsp
  • 1/2 tsp
  • 1/4 tsp
  • 2 cups
  • 1 tbsp
  • 1/4 cup

Let's cook

Step-by-step instructions

01

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 1 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
02

Step 2

Add the garlic and zucchini. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
03

Step 3

Add the diced tomatoes, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 3 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
04

Step 4

Add the white beans and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the beans are heated through.

Step 4 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
05

Step 5

Stir in the leafy greens and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted and tender.

Step 5 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
06

Step 6

Taste and adjust the seasoning. Stir in the lemon juice if using.

Step 6 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet
07

Step 7

Remove from the heat, sprinkle with parsley if using, and serve warm.

Step 7 of Rustic Vegetable and Bean Skillet

Nutrition

Nutritional information

Calories

307

Protein

13g

Carbohydrates

39g

Fat

12g

Fiber

11g

Kitchen notes

Notes

Cannellini or great northern beans work well in this skillet. Drain and rinse canned beans before adding them. Keep the heat moderate so the vegetables soften without burning.

Tips

Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Add the greens near the end so they stay tender and retain some texture.

Substitutions

Kale or Swiss chard can replace the spinach. Chickpeas can replace the white beans. Eggplant can replace the zucchini.

Serving suggestions

Serve warm with whole-grain bread, brown rice, or cooked barley. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

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Our Editorial Standards

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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