Roasted White Bean and Tomato Pasta Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Rebecca

This is a delicious recipe (I cooked it as written) hidden under bad planning. No reason it needed to arrive on the table lukewarm with a murder scene of dirty dishes in the kitchen. Bake the beans on a sheet pan as written - a quarter size is perfect. Bake tomato mixture in a large oven-proof skillet. Transfer skillet to cook top, add beans, then just scoop the pasta directly into the skillet with water clinging, adding more pasta water if necessary. 100% of sucs preserved with way less mess.

Brian

Thanks! A lovely dish, pasta e fa*gioli always a winner - the roasting is a nice touch. But one suggestion, please, made with respect. I have lived in Italy, am married to an Italian, and have never understood why Americans add sugar to a tomato sauce - the acidity of the fruit is quickly cooked away. Don't believe me - check out Antonio Carluccio, etc. It's a terrible habit, sadly passed on by cookbook writers.

Rebecca

The recipe calls for two sheet pans because the beans won’t crisp if they’re crowded on one sheet pan with too much other stuff, especially if the tomatoes burst while roasting and the juices run.

Laura

I put tomatoes and beans on separate sides of the same dish and it worked perfectly. This is an exceptional recipe. Add an anchovy to the tomato paste blend before tossing the cherry tomatoes in there and you will think you’ve died and gone to heaven.

Lisa piel

Two baking sheets is one too many. Why not put the tomatoes on one half and the beans on the other half?

Shelley

I really liked this. I suspect anyone saying they didn’t find it had enough flavour is either used to a lot of seasoning and/or didn’t season it enough. PS, I halved the oil and it was still great. Love the crunchy beans and the hint of heat.

Shannon

I used 2 glass baking dishes for the beans and the tomatoes. Beans crisped and tomatoes cooked up nicely as well. I use a Stainless Steel Steamer that I place in my Dutch oven to cook the pasta. This help’s strain the pasta, leaving plenty of pasta water. Used an immersion blender to cream part of the tomato/bean mix in the Dutch oven and added the pasta water as needed.

Jon

This was very easy and absolutely delicious. I'm in the two sheet pan camp. My beans came out nice and crispy. I think putting the beans and the tomatoes on the same sheet would have made the beans soggy from the tomato juice. Also, the beans need the space to crisp up. The slight heat was just perfect. Only edit I'll make next time is to augment with more tomatoes. They're delicious but I wanted more in the sauce.

Michael

Made just as written--delicious! I especially like the complex textures that come from roasting the shallot, garlic and tomatoes...a little crunch, a little creamy, a little glossy. Probably didn't use all of the oil, but close.

AM

This came out delicious. I didn't have rosemary, so I used an Italian herb blend, but otherwise followed the recipe as written. I wouldn't describe the beans as "crispy," but I might have pulled them out a little too soon because they had gotten so brown. However, I enjoyed the chang's they developed from roasting, and the sauce is incredibly good: creamy, with a little bit of heat. This is definitely going into the rotation.

Jats

I think sometimes it's done to compensate for the relatively poor quality tomatoes available from most American supermarkets, where most people in the US buy their tomatoes.

Heidi Menocal

Because many people drain their pasta in the sink using a strainer. Therefore the pot is empty and the pasta is in the strainer.

Barbara

Use less?

Harry Doshay

Worked great for me! Used substitutions I had on hand, like a small onion for shallot and gochugaru for red pepper flakes, and it turned out lovely. Nice and filling and a total no-brainer. Thought I would reduce the oil, but it really helped in the last step to keep the texture nice.

Zoey Y.

My housemate loved this so much she immediately asked me to make it again! I used one sheet pan since I only own one (college student), but based on these notes next time I’ll try to source another.

Jeff

Absolutely dank and easy! The rosemary made the house smell so good, and the crisp white beans are fire. One of the best recipes/pasta dishes I’ve ever made. No notes.

Cooked 2/13

Could add more flavoring / onions to the roasted thing but i really like the idea of a sheet pan becoming your sauce

nh

Made like Rececca suggested. Used less pasta. Was good. Will make again

Sam

….why am I confused. So i’m pouring the pasta water onto the baking dish to scrape it into the pan?

Bronwen

Yum yum!! Made with medium sized shells and used a deep 12-inch skillet to bake the tomatoes, which I subsequently used to mix the pasta in the last step. One-and-a-halfed it, and everyone had seconds. There were barely any leftovers!

Kelli

I recently decided to try and cut out any type of animal product unless I know exactly where it comes from, which means trying to find a lot of plant based meals. This recipe is a win and because it was so flavorful I didn’t even miss the Parmesan! Made the recipe as-is and loved it. I may try skipping the sugar next time and possibly a little less oil. I think I could add more beans as well, just to make the meal go a little further.

Dee

I doubled the beans — drained well and did some patting dry but didn’t rinse — which let me cut the pasta (whole grain penne, in my case) in half. Also used parchment paper for roasting, much easier cleanup and still left plenty of brown bits. Upped the sugar a little. It is delicious!

andy

Add extra beans. Makes it saucier and better.

David

This didn't work for us, a family of five, and we are big pasta eaters. I also question the total time. I'm not the fastest with a knife but 25 minutes of cooking time leaves 5 minutes for prep. I envy the people that can meet that timeline. Deleting from my saved recipes.

Richard

"Cooking time" does not include prep.

Ivy

Just loved this. Easy cleanup with parchment paper on sheet pans. Loved the way the beans crisped up but then melted into the sauce. Wonderful with orecchiette, but I can imagine it would be great with casarecci, gnocchi, or even a big dollop of the sauce on long pasta. Great last-minute pantry-ish dish.

Virginia

Made this almost exactly as directed (I just added 1/4 cup olive oil at the end instead of 1/2 cup - along with some pasta water). This was so good- such a hearty and healthy week night dinner, especially with whole wheat pasta and a salad. The beans kind of melt and disappear a bit once you mix it all together but you can definitely taste them in most bites. Might be a bit garlicky for some but I can handle a lot of garlic. Even my 3 year old took a few bites (she prefers butter pasta).

Ali

This was fabulous! Raves from everyone. Easy, flavorful and the texture of the roasted beans was sublime. I love a recipe that delivers so much more than the effort that goes into it!

Ok, Not Worth The Effort

Not worth all the effort roasting for the end product.

John

Meh, not bad, not great. The crisp beans got too dry in taste and texture for us.

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Roasted White Bean and Tomato Pasta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding butter to tomato sauce do? ›

Because of the naturally high acidity of tomato sauce, I find that most store-bought tomato sauces tend to be way too abrasive and sharp-tasting. The addition of butter really rounds out the flavor of the sauce and helps to temper the acidity. It also gives the sauce a nice sheen, which is a fun bonus.

How to make canned pasta sauce taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

Can you add cream to jar pasta sauce? ›

Heavy cream will transform your sauce

The trick with adding cream to your jar sauce is to start with a small amount so the taste isn't overwhelming. You can always add more cream, but if you add too much, it can be difficult to fix.

What to add to tomato sauce? ›

In addition to umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms and grated cheese mentioned in other sections here, you can melt a couple anchovy fillets in some olive oil before adding the sauce, or dissolve in a bouillon cube, a spoonful of miso, or a splash of fish sauce or Worcestershire sauce.

What is the secret to good tomato sauce? ›

Starting with good quality tomatoes and crushing them by hand offers great flavor and texture later on. The combination of butter and oil releases fat-soluble aromatics and gives the sauce a creamy texture. Slowly cooking the sauce in the oven creates rich caramelization without burning.

How much butter should I put in pasta sauce? ›

You can use just a little butter — or a lot

Italian cooking doyenne Marcella Hazan, who was known for her direct, no-nonsense writing style and impeccably traditional recipes, is famous for — among other things — her signature tomato sauce, which includes not just a spoonful of butter but five tablespoons.

Do you add anything to canned pasta sauce? ›

Aside from salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes, using ingredients like fresh basil and parsley will really pack a new punch right into your jarred tomato sauce.

What is the one ingredient that makes spaghetti sauce so much better? ›

Nutmeg. Nutmeg is the key to boosting earthiness and adding a touch of nuttiness to your spaghetti sauce. Nutmeg also has a slightly sweet flavor, which we know goes great with acidic canned tomatoes. Overall, it accentuates the other ingredients in the sauce and adds complexity.

What to put on pasta when you have no sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

What is creamy tomato pasta called? ›

This healthy & hearty pasta pomodoro will become your go-to weeknight dinner! The creamy sauce is bursting with tangy tomato flavor.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream in my pasta sauce? ›

Whole milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream. It adds richness to your pasta sauce without the excess fat. Simply simmer your favourite pasta sauce with whole milk until it thickens to your desired consistency. The result is a velvety and indulgent sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta.

Should I add heavy whipping cream to my pasta sauce? ›

Cheese and dairy give sauces creaminess while butter and oil give them richness. You also don't need to use a lot — these are just for finishing and rounding out the flavors in a sauce. Whole Milk or Heavy Cream: Add a splash and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken.

How to make tomato pasta sauce taste better? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

What can I add to tomato pasta to make it taste better? ›

13 Ways to Make Any Jarred Pasta Sauce Better
  1. Start with the right pasta and sauce. ...
  2. Season with dried herbs. ...
  3. Or flavor with fresh herb sprigs. ...
  4. Double up on tomato goodness. ...
  5. Add more garlic and/or onions. ...
  6. Sweeten and thicken with squash purée. ...
  7. Punch things up with a pinch of chili flakes. ...
  8. Try this secret ingredient.
Dec 9, 2022

What brings out spaghetti flavor? ›

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

Does butter thicken tomato sauce? ›

Butter does not provide any thickening to a sauce, since it is made of just fat and water. But a chunk of butter, salted or unsalted, swirled into a sauce at the end, can temporarily emulsify a sauce, while adding richness and sheen, all of which are good things.

Why do people put butter in sauce? ›

Adding Butter To Tomato Sauce Brings A Balanced Richness

Sautéing the veggies in butter will help infuse the dairy product's rich flavor into the rest of the sauce. Once the veggies are sautéed, add in the tomatoes like you'd traditionally do, though you'll undoubtedly notice a difference in the final product.

Does butter reduce acidity in tomato sauce? ›

Creamy ingredients like heavy cream, butter, or milk can help to cut the acidity in tomato sauce. These ingredients add richness and smoothness to the sauce and help to balance out the tangy flavors.

What does adding cold butter to a sauce do? ›

EXPLANATION: Cold butter melts slowly, which allows you to thoroughly break the butterfat into tiny droplets that can be dispersed throughout the water. And gradually adding the butter one piece at a time slows down the process even further. Together, these steps ensure a stable emulsion.

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