46 White Bean Recipes to Make with Cannellini Beans, Great Northern Beans and the Like
Whether they’re navy beans, cannellini, limas or the “great Northern” variety—dried or straight out of a can—white beans are a permanent pantry staple in our kitchen. The legume is a simple way to add plant-based protein to soups, stews, chilis, dips, salads, pastas and more. They’re also incredibly versatile, thanks to their mild flavor that can adapt to just about any ingredient. Don’t believe us? These 46 white bean recipes prove its magical properties beyond a shadow of a doubt.
RELATED: 20 Types of Beans to Make from Scratch (Because They Just Taste Better That Way)
1. One-Pan Sausage with Broccoli Rabe and White Beans
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, sheet pan recipe, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
2. Marinated White Bean and Tomato Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, special occasion-worthy
3. Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Soup
- Time Commitment: 7 hours and 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
4. Tomato and White Bean Stew on Toast
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
5. Instant Pot Farro Risotto
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, Instant Pot recipe, high protein
6. Spicy Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili
- Time Commitment: 6 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser
7. Braised Cannellini Beans with Prosciutto and Herbs
- Time Commitment: 2 hours (plus soaking time)
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
8. Five-Minute Bean Salad
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
9. Spiced Lamb Meatball and Escarole Soup
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, one pot
10. Roasted Squash Salad with White Beans, Breadcrumbs and Preserved Lemon
- Time Commitment: 1 hour (plus soaking time)
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegan
11. Easy, Lazy Chicken Soup with Beans and Greens
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly
12. White Beans with Rosemary and Caramelized Onions
- Time Commitment: 9 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegan
13. Cheater’s Italian Wedding Soup
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
14. White Turkey Chili with Avocado
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: one pot, high protein, crowd-pleaser
15. Gluten-Free White Bean Zucchini Burgers with Green Olive-Basil Aioli
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian
16. Winter White Bean-Kale Pappardelle Pasta
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein
17. Warm Leek White Bean Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegan
18. Tomato-Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, high protein, beginner-friendly
19. Smashed White Bean Salad Tartines with Herbs and Watermelon Radish
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
20. White Bean and Roasted Cauliflower Spread with Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, crowd-pleaser
21. Grain and Sprout Bowl with Sautéed Chard Stems and Green Harissa
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegan, dairy free
22. Tuscan Tuna and White Bean Salad
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein, no cook
23. Lightened-Up Italian Wedding Soup
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser
24. Mediterranean Three-Bean Quinoa Salad
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
25. Easy Pasta Fagioli
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
26. Vegan Kale White Bean Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegan, dairy free
27. Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
28. Sun-Dried Tomato, White Bean and Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
29. Instant Pot Cajun White Beans
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, high protein, dairy free
30. White Bean and Corn Salsa
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, make ahead
31. White Bean Sausage Skillet
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, high protein
32. Cheesy Vegan Quinoa Bake
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, dairy free, make ahead
33. White Bean, Spinach & Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers with Burrata
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
34. Salmon and White Bean Bruschetta
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly
35. The Best Brothy White Beans
- Time Commitment: 9 hours and 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, one pot, vegan
36. Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
37. Vegetarian White Bean Buffalo Dip
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
38. 15-Minute Garlic Parmesan White Beans
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, one pan
39. Shakshuka with White Beans and Spinach
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
40. Creamy Vegan Kale White Bean Soup
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, one pot
41. Avocado and Cannellini Bean Crostini with Gremolata
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
42. Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead, high protein
43. Polenta Tomato Tart with White Bean Spread
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegan
44. Vegan White Bean Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
45. Vegan Spaghetti & White Bean Balls
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, beginner-friendly
46. The Best Stewed Cannellini Beans
- Time Commitment: 11 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegan
RELATED: 55 Black Bean Recipes That Go Beyond Burrito Bowls
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.