The Rustic Ina Garten Tuscan White Beans Recipe for Cozy Nights

Tuscan white beans represent a culinary treasure that transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated these creamy legumes as a staple of rustic cooking.

Rich and satisfying, they carry deep flavors that speak to traditional agricultural traditions.

Soft yet substantial, these beans absorb seasonings beautifully, creating complex taste profiles with minimal effort.

Home cooks appreciate their nutritional density and remarkable versatility across different meal styles.

Fragrant herbs and quality olive oil elevate these beans from simple to sublime.

The magic happens when you combine fresh ingredients with time-honored techniques: come taste authentic comfort.

Grab These Pantry Basics for a Rustic Bowl

• Dried White Beans: Dried beans are the primary protein and base of the dish, with a creamy texture and mild flavor. Look for fresh, uniform beans without cracks or discoloration.

• Fennel, Carrots: These vegetables add sweetness and depth to the bean dish. Choose crisp, firm fennel and bright orange carrots for best results.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the beans. Fresh garlic cloves are recommended.

• Sage, Rosemary: Fragrant herbs that bring traditional Tuscan flavor to the dish. Use fresh herbs for the most vibrant taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the flavors of the beans.

• Chicken Stock: Adds richness and helps create a creamy consistency for the beans. Use low-sodium stock for better control of salt levels.
• Pecorino Romano Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides a classic Italian finishing touch. Grate fresh for the best flavor.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding a smooth, rich base to the dish. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred.

Simmer Your Way to a Hearty Italian Side

Step 1: Soak Beans Overnight

Place dried white beans in a spacious bowl and generously cover with cold water, ensuring at least 2 inches of water above the beans. Cover and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.

Step 2: Prepare Bean Base

Drain and rinse soaked beans thoroughly. Transfer beans to a large stockpot and add fresh water, ensuring double the volume of beans. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45-50 minutes until beans become tender. Remove any foam that develops during cooking.

Step 3: Create Vegetable Foundation

• Diced fennel
• Chopped carrots

Cook vegetables for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become soft and slightly golden.

Step 4: Infuse Aromatic Garlic

Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture. Stir and cook for an additional 60 seconds, releasing its fragrant essence.

Step 5: Combine Bean and Vegetable Medley

• Fresh sage
• Rosemary sprigs
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 6: Develop Rich Flavor Profile

Allow mixture to simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring periodically. Watch beans transform into a creamy, harmonious blend.

Step 7: Finish with Cheese Flourish

Sprinkle Pecorino Romano cheese into the bean mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately while warm.

Tips to Keep Beans Tender and Tasty

• Soak Smartly: Overnight bean soaking transforms tough legumes into creamy, tender bites by softening their texture and reducing cooking time.
• Foam Removal Technique: Gently skimming foam during boiling prevents bitter flavors and creates a cleaner, more refined broth with pure bean essence.
• Precision Chopping Matters: Uniform vegetable cuts ensure each spoonful delivers balanced flavor and consistent cooking throughout the dish.
• Herb Magic Unlocked: Fresh herbs breathe life into the beans, releasing aromatic oils that infuse deep, complex Mediterranean-inspired flavors into every bite.
• Cheese Finishing Touch: Sprinkling Pecorino Romano at the last moment preserves its sharp, salty character and prevents unwanted clumping or melting.

Store and Reheat Without Losing Texture

• Preserve Freshness: Refrigerate beans in an airtight glass container with tight-sealing lid. Layer beans carefully to prevent crushing delicate texture. Mark container with date to track freshness and consume within 3 days for optimal taste and quality.
• Extend Lifespan: Freeze portion-sized batches in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Label containers with contents and date. Frozen beans maintain excellent flavor and texture for up to 3 months, providing convenient meal prep options.
• Revive Flavor: Thaw refrigerated or frozen beans gradually in refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of vegetable broth or olive oil to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Add a Spin with Herbs or a Drizzle of Oil

• Spicy Mediterranean Beans: Add red pepper flakes and diced chorizo for a zesty kick. The sausage brings rich, smoky flavor that complements the creamy white beans perfectly.
• Herb Garden Blend: Replace sage and rosemary with fresh thyme, parsley, and oregano. These lighter herbs create a brighter, more vibrant profile that highlights the beans' natural earthiness.
• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Swap chicken stock with vegetable broth and add roasted butternut squash cubes. This version introduces a sweet, caramelized element that makes the dish more substantial and nutritious.
• Provençal Style Beans: Incorporate chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a splash of white wine. These ingredients transport the recipe to southern France, creating a more complex and sophisticated flavor profile.

Beans That Warm the Heart One Spoon at a Time

Culinary magic blooms within Ina Garten’s Tuscan white beans, where rustic Italian traditions meet modern kitchen elegance.

Fennel and carrots dance alongside tender beans, creating harmonious flavor landscapes that transport palates to Tuscany’s rolling countryside.

Mediterranean ingredients whisper comfort and complexity in each carefully crafted spoonful.

Herbal notes of sage and rosemary weave through creamy bean textures, elevating simple ingredients into restaurant-worthy experiences.

Pecorino Romano adds salty richness, transforming this humble dish into a gourmet celebration.

Foodies and home chefs, share this recipe’s warmth, snap mouthwatering photos, drop comments below, and spread delicious inspiration across your culinary networks.

Why Tuscan White Beans Feel Like Simple Luxury

• Savor Authentic Tuscan Comfort: This recipe delivers genuine Italian countryside flavors with minimal ingredients and maximum taste, transporting your kitchen straight to the rolling hills of Tuscany.
• Master Simple Culinary Technique: The step-by-step method transforms basic white beans into a luxurious, creamy dish through patient simmering and carefully layered ingredients, making even novice cooks feel like professional chefs.
• Embrace Nutrient-Rich Wholesome Meal: Packed with protein-dense beans, aromatic herbs like sage and rosemary, and vegetables such as fennel and carrots, this recipe offers a nutritionally balanced meal that feels indulgent yet healthy.
• Enjoy Versatile One-Pot Wonder: Perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings, this recipe requires just one pot, minimal prep time, and creates a hearty dish that can be served as a side or main course with minimal cleanup.

Ina Garten Tuscan White Beans Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Tuscan white beans from Ina Garten bring rustic Italian countryside comfort to your kitchen. Rich sage-infused flavors and creamy cannellini beans create a simple yet elegant side dish perfect for sharing with friends and family.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) dried white cannellini beans
• 4 c (960 milliliters) chopped fennel, stalks, fronds, and core removed (2 large)
• 2 c (480 milliliters) chopped carrots (4 carrots)
• 1 c (240 milliliters) chicken stock, preferably homemade

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• 0.25 c (60 milliliters) good olive oil
• 0.5 c (120 milliliters) freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. The evening prior to cooking, submerge dried beans in a spacious container, ensuring water covers them by 5 centimeters (2 inches). Refrigerate the covered bowl overnight to initiate softening.
2. Drain and thoroughly rinse the soaked beans. Transfer them to a substantial stockpot, adding water double the bean volume. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to create a gentle simmer. Allow beans to cook uncovered for approximately 45 minutes, periodically skimming accumulated foam from the surface.
3. Warm olive oil in a generously sized skillet or Dutch oven over medium temperature. Introduce fennel and carrots, gently sautéing for 8-10 minutes until vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized.
4. Incorporate finely minced garlic into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for an additional minute to release aromatic oils without burning.
5. Transfer the cooked beans into the sautéed vegetable medley. Pour chicken stock, then sprinkle sage, rosemary, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the mixture.
6. Maintain a low simmer for 12-15 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and encourage creamy bean texture. The liquid should gradually reduce and integrate with the ingredients.
7. Finish the dish by folding grated Pecorino Romano cheese throughout. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Beans demand overnight soaking in water that covers them by at least 5 cm to guarantee tender, even cooking without grainy textures.
• Skimming foam during boiling removes unwanted impurities, ensuring a pristine and clean-tasting broth with remarkable clarity.
• Precision matters when chopping fennel and carrots – uniform cuts create harmonious blending and consistent cooking throughout the dish.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary and sage transform the flavor profile, with thyme as a worthy substitute when needed, always using fresh or reducing dried quantities.
• Pecorino Romano requires gentle, last-minute stirring to preserve its bold taste and prevent unwanted clumping during the final cooking moments.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: Data not available
• Sodium: 630mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 10g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg