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White Bean and Pesto Bake Recipe

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4.3 from 10 reviews

This comforting White Bean and Pesto Bake combines hearty brown rice, creamy cannellini beans, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and flavorful pesto baked together to create a wholesome, easy-to-make meal. Topped with a crunchy layer of panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese, this dish offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes, perfect for a satisfying vegetarian dinner.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup long grain brown rice
  • 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • ⅓ cup pesto (plus more for topping, if desired)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes

Topping

  • ½ cup panko crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dish.
  2. Heat Broth: Warm the vegetable broth in the microwave on high for 4-5 minutes until it reaches a boil, which will help cook the rice evenly in the baking dish.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In an 8×8-inch baking dish, mix together the brown rice, rinsed cannellini beans, pesto, salt, and halved cherry tomatoes thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
  4. Add Broth: Carefully pour the hot vegetable broth over the combined ingredients in the baking dish, then stir gently to combine everything well.
  5. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap steam and bake for 65-75 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the broth and the flavors to meld.
  6. Check and Uncover: Carefully remove the foil—watch out for hot steam—and check if any liquid remains. If needed, bake the dish uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes to evaporate any excess liquid.
  7. Add Topping and Broil: Sprinkle the panko crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top. Return the dish to the oven and broil for a few minutes until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  8. Serve: Optionally, add extra pesto on top before serving for added flavor and garnish.

Notes

  • Use vegetable broth to keep the dish vegetarian and add depth of flavor.
  • Monitor the broiling step closely to prevent the topping from burning.
  • You can substitute brown rice with a similar grain such as farro or quinoa, adjusting baking time accordingly.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace panko crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Make sure to rinse and drain the beans well to remove excess sodium and starch.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/white-bean-and-pesto-bake-recipe/