Cheesy Bean Gratin with Broccoli

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Gluten Free
Vegetarian

Why we love it:

Gigante beans or butter beans are large creamy white beans that taste amazing in this dish. But they can be difficult to find. Grab a few if you see them. Otherwise, you’ll still be eating well with white kidney beans, aka cannellini beans.

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Ingredients

1 Yellow Onion
1 rib Celery
1 Carrot
2 cloves Garlic
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¹⁄₂ teaspoon Kosher Salt
¹⁄₂ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
¹⁄₄ cup White Wine (or red, optional)
2 15-ounce cans Cannellini Beans (or gigante/butter beans if you can find them)
1 15-ounce can Crushed Tomatoes
¹⁄₂ cup Water
4 Green Onions
6 ounces Mozzarella (shredded) (or more)
¹⁄₃ cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
1 pound Broccoli

Cooking Instructions

1. MIREPOIX

Dice the onion, celery, and carrot. Mince garlic.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and add the diced mirepoix. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano.

Cook, sautéing until the vegetables brown lightly (about 6 minutes). Add the wine, if using, and simmer for 1 minute.
2. BEANS

Open and drain the beans; add to the pan with the veggies. Add the can of tomatoes as well and bring to a steady simmer. If it looks dry, you can add up to 3/4 cup water, a ¼ cup at a time. Simmer the mixture together over medium for about 10 minutes, adjusting the seasonings as needed.
3. GREEN ONION

Slice the green onion and add ½ to the beans.
4. CHEESE

Transfer the mixture to a 3-quart baking dish or individual ovenproof dishes. Sprinkle with mozzarella, then the parmesan on top, then garnish with the remaining green onion. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden. If you want to get the cheese darker in color, turn on to broil for the last 2 - 4 minutes.
5. BROCCOLI

While the cheese is melting, slice broccoli into florets. Steam in a stovetop steamer or microwave until they’re crisp tender. Alternatively, place on a baking sheet and roast the broccoli under the baking casserole. Toss with salt and butter to taste.
6. SERVING

Let the casserole cool just a bit before serving, then generously scoop into bowls. Add broccoli on the side.

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Substitutions

DAIRY FREE:

omit cheese on top and consider adding a few handfuls of baby spinach at the end to give the dish more interest
COW DAIRY FREE:

dot the top with goat cheese and grated pecorino, or try buffalo mozzarella
MUST HAVE MEAT:

sauté some soft Italian sausage or ground turkey with the mirepoix before adding sauce and beans
MORE VEGGIES:

add sliced mushrooms while cooking mirepoix, add chopped leafy greens like spinach, kale, chard, just before transferring to oven
GREEN ONION:

this dish is also excellent topped with fresh basil after going into the oven to melt the cheese

Prep Ahead & Use It Up

Make filling entirely and stop before adding cheese and baking
To serve, heat in the oven with cheese, covered, for about 25 minutes, then finish for 10 without a cover to brown the cheese