White Bean Mozzarella Bake2 min read

Healthy cooking and eating can often feel elusive, expensive and time prohibitive. This quick and family-friendly recipe, made with affordable pantry staples, proves the opposite to be true. White beans are packed with plant-based protein and fiber, and provide a neutral base for punchy tomato sauce and creamy mozzarella cheese, giving pizza vibes, but delivered in a healthful way. Tomato sauce is a flavorful way to incorporate a plethora of vitamins and minerals into your diet. Rich in vitamins C, A, K, B, potassium, folate and manganese, as well as cancer-fighting lycopene, you’ll want to incorporate tomatoes into your cooking to support your overall well-being. Mozzarella cheese contains gut-boosting probiotics, as well as protein, calcium and iron. Incorporating just a few vegetarian meals throughout your week benefits both your health and the health of the planet. Serve this recipe alongside a big green salad and some toasty bread to soak up any extra sauce. 

Serves 4

Total Time: 40 minutes (10 minutes of hands-on time)

Ingredients:

• 2 15-ounce cans of giant white beans (substitute cannellini or Northern white beans if needed), rinsed and drained
• 1 26-ounce jar of tomato sauce
• 6-8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese (or substitute 1 cup shredded mozzarella)
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh basil, to serve (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large baking dish, mix together the beans and tomato sauce and smooth into an even layer. 
3. Top the beans with the mozzarella cheese, sprinkle over the parmesan cheese, then the panko breadcrumbs. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top. 
4. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly around the edges. Broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese if desired. 
5. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then sprinkle over the fresh basil, if using. Enjoy!