Name: Pizza Beans 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 vegetable or chicken broth; 1½ cups shredded mozzarella (or 1 fresh mozzarella ball torn into chunks, about 7-8 oz / 200 g); ⅓ cup grated parmesan; 1 handful fresh basil; 4 slices crusty bread, toasted, for serving

Imagine a sizzling skillet filled with tender beans, blistered cherry tomatoes, and gooey melted cheese bubbling on top — that’s exactly what makes the Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe an absolute winner in my kitchen. It’s so simple, packed with flavor, and perfect for cozy dinners or casual get-togethers.

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 Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about how this Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe brings together rustic ingredients into a dish that feels indulgent yet easy. I’ve made it countless times for quick weeknight dinners, and it never fails to impress hungry mouths and happy hearts.

One-Skillet Wonder: You cook everything in a single pan, which means less mess and more time to relax.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, and herbs comes together like a pizza in bean form.
Comfort Food, Fast: Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s both satisfying and family-friendly.
Customizable Magic: Add your favorite cheeses, spices, or switch up the beans for variety.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe play off each other beautifully — juicy tomatoes provide sweetness and acidity, creamy cannellini beans bring body, and cheese adds that irresistible melty finish. Here’s a quick peek at what goes in and why it’s chosen:

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: For that smooth, fruity base flavor and to blister the tomatoes perfectly without burning.
Cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness intensifies when blistered, giving the sauce that fresh-from-the-garden vibe.
Garlic: Grated garlic melts into the sauce, infusing it with fragrant warmth.
Tomato paste: Adds concentrated tomato richness and a deep color that makes everything pop.
Dried oregano: Classic Italian herb that complements the tomato-bean combo elegantly.
Red pepper flakes (optional): Bring just a hint of heat if you like a bit of a kick.
Salt & black pepper: To season and balance the flavors.
Cannellini beans: Silky white beans that absorb the sauce flavors beautifully and add a creamy texture.
Vegetable or chicken broth: Keeps the sauce luscious and helps it simmer to the perfect consistency.
Mozzarella (shredded or fresh ball): That melty cheese factor turning this into a proper pizza-inspired dish.
Grated parmesan: Adds nutty, umami depth on top.
Fresh basil: Bright, herbaceous finish to lift the whole skillet.
Crusty bread: Essential for dunking and scooping up every last bite.

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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

Once I nailed the base Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe, I started experimenting to make it my own, and that’s the beauty of it — you can easily tweak it to your liking. I like to play around with different cheeses and spice levels depending on my mood or what’s in my pantry.

Make it Spicy: Toss in extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to turn up the heat. Friends loved it when I did this last winter during a cozy movie night.
Go Vegan: Swap mozzarella and parmesan for plant-based alternatives, and use vegetable broth for a fully vegan dish that still delivers on flavor.
Beans Swap: Cannellini beans are my fave, but chickpeas or butter beans work wonderfully too, especially when I want a slightly nuttier taste.
Herb Boost: Adding chopped fresh oregano or a drizzle of basil pesto before serving elevates the herb profile beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pizza Beans 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 the tomatoes until they sing

Heat your olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and let them cook mostly undisturbed for about 5 minutes. Watch for the skins to blister and wrinkle—that's when the tomatoes release their sweet, concentrated flavor. Toss in the grated garlic, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir them all together and cook just another minute until the aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 2: Add the beans and broth, then simmer

Drain and rinse the cannellini beans before adding them to the skillet along with the broth. Stir everything well, bring to a gentle simmer, and let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes. The sauce thickens, the tomatoes soften further, and flavors marry beautifully. Keep an eye on it — add a splash more broth if it gets too thick for your liking.

Step 3: Top with cheese and broil to melty perfection

Switch your oven to broil. Scatter the shredded mozzarella or torn fresh mozzarella over the bean and tomato mixture, then sprinkle grated parmesan on top. Slide the skillet under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden in lovely spots. Don’t walk away here — cheese can go from perfect to burnt fast!

Step 4: Finish with fresh basil and serve warm

Pull the skillet out of the oven and sprinkle fresh basil leaves right on top to add a fresh, herbal pop. Serve immediately with crusty bread slices for scooping up all that cheesy, saucy goodness. Trust me, no forks needed!

Top Tip

After making the Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe multiple times, I've realized a few key tricks that really elevate it and keep cleanup easy.

Patience with the tomatoes: Let them sit undisturbed when blistering to develop that rich, sweet flavor instead of steaming them.
Use an oven-safe skillet: It saves you from washing extra dishes and makes transferring from stove to broiler seamless.
Don’t rush the broiler: The cheese melts quickly; watch closely to get it golden without burning.
Fresh basil last: Adding it right at the end brightens the whole dish perfectly without losing its vibrant color.

How to Serve Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my pizza beans skillet with fresh basil leaves—it adds a burst of color and herbaceous brightness. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra parmesan or drizzle a tiny bit of good quality olive oil just before serving. If you’re feeling adventurous, a pinch of chili flakes on top gives it great contrast.

Side Dishes

Since this Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe is already hearty, I usually keep sides simple. A crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette pairs beautifully, or some roasted veggies for a warm, well-rounded meal. Of course, warm crusty bread is a must to soak up every last bit of that cheesy tomato sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For casual gatherings, I like serving the Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe straight in a rustic cast iron pan on the table with plenty of bread and small bowls of olives or pickled veggies on the side. For something a bit fancier, try spooning it into small ramekins and broiling cheese individually for a more elegant presentation that still feels cozy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually pop leftovers of this Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe into an airtight container and refrigerate them. It keeps nicely for up to 4 days—just make sure to cover the surface with a bit of plastic wrap to prevent the cheese from drying out.

Freezing

Freezing works well if you want to save some for busy nights. I cool it completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. It keeps up to 3 months. When ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer using the oven or toaster oven at 350°F to warm it evenly and refresh the cheese meltiness. Microwave is okay for a quick fix, but cheese texture changes slightly. Adding a tiny splash of broth before reheating helps keep the sauce creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of beans in the Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Cannellini beans bring a creamy texture, but great northern beans, chickpeas, or butter beans are excellent substitutes. Just make sure to drain and rinse canned beans well to keep the sauce clean-tasting.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, you can transfer the cooked bean mixture to a baking dish before adding cheese and broiling. Just be careful when handling hot pans and use mitts!

How spicy is this recipe and can I adjust it?

The recipe is mildly spicy thanks to optional red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust by adding more for heat or leaving them out for a milder version. A sprinkle of chili flakes on top after cooking also works wonders.

Can I make this Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe vegan?

Yes! Use vegetable broth and replace mozzarella and parmesan with plant-based cheeses. Nutritional yeast sprinkled on top is a great cheesy alternative too.

Final Thoughts

This Pizza Beans Skillet Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes because it’s hearty, comforting, and endlessly adaptable. It’s like having pizza in a cozy, cheesy bean stew form—all without the fuss of dough or fancy prep. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings some delicious warmth to your table whenever you need a quick, satisfying meal. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked!