Everyone has their favorite way to enjoy beans, be they sweet and smoky baked beans or black beans in a burrito. But, this Italian style of casserole has the perfect balance of tomato sauce that counters the creaminess of the white beans. Greens mixed in with the beans add some flavor and texture, and some fresh mozzarella on top takes this recipe up to an 11. If you thought beans were boring somehow then this dish might just change all that!

The trick to getting the flavors to combine so beautifully is that you cook the beans in the tomato sauce. For a quick shortcut we’re using canned white beans (or cannellini) to save the time and trouble of soaking and cooking the beans before making the casserole.

In with the sauce is a bit of chopped kale as Italian cooking is usually full of lots of vegetables. You add the sliced mozzarella then bake this all up together in the oven. When this is done baking the cheese has that just-melted texture that’s so enticing.

For a simple meal or lunch you could serve this with only some good bread to accompany it. But, for big family gatherings this yummy bean casserole really helps to round out the meal as a side dish and makes sure everyone is well and truly satisfied.

It’s so simple to make, but the results are definitely repeat-worthy!