• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Laura Fuentes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Eat Healthy
  • Fasting
  • Meet Laura
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Eat Healthy
  • Fasting
  • Meet Laura
  • Contact
×

Italian Baked Beans Recipe

by Laura Fuentes

July 5, 2013
updated May 8, 2023
5 from 23 votes
These baked beans are very easy to make and taste so much better than the ones from the can.
Jump to Recipe

All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This 4th of July, I planned on firing up the barbecue, grilling some skewers, corn, and eating my Italian baked beans. Instead, I stopped at the Italian baked beans, since I had two sick kids who didn’t want to move from the couch.

italian baked beans in a bowl

I don’t know how big families do it. I mean… once one kid gets sick… whatever it is; it seems to spread faster than a California wildfire. It began five days ago with Baby G, who was home for 3 days sick with a virus. And then, just when I thought we all escaped the bug… “it” hit the big ones.

It’s hard enough to work during the summer, now add a book deadline and a funky virus that is going around my house… this isn’t good news. On top of that, I haven’t been able to go to the gym in what seems like forever, so I am feeling a bit physically cranky, achy and desperate to get out.

italian baked beans in a bowl with corn and skewers next to it

Ok, enough ranting about my stress. I love beans. My mother in law makes delicious baked beans. I once asked her about them and this pretty much sums up our conversation:

Me: These beans are delicious. What’s in them?

MIL: Well…you cook some chopped bacon in the pan and use the bacon fat to brown an onion. Then I add the canned baked beans. 

Me: on. That’s it? — yeah, that was it. 

So you know I didn’t like that answer (even if I love her beans). You see, I buy my beans in bulk and I need to find recipes to use them! I’ve made this recipe with both canned and bulk beans. The recipe comes out fantastic both ways. Make sure you add more grated parmesan on top. Next time, I’ll make sure it looks more appealing than on this picture. 

I’m off to take care of the sicklings… while you print this recipe or pin it for later. Make sure to come back and let me know how you liked them!

italian baked beans in a bowl

Tuscan Baked Beans

Laura Fuentes
5 from 23 votes
These baked beans are very easy to make and taste so much better than the ones from the can.
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • ½ pound bacon, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup white wine
  • 4 15 oz cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed or ,
  • 1 lb bulk northern beans/navy beans, about 2 ¼ cups*
  • 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken stock, or low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup shaved or grated parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • *If using bulk/dry beans: measure your beans, rinse and soak overnight. When ready to cook, rinse and add 4-6 cups of water to this recipe. I start with 4-5 cups and then add if needed.
  • Heat a large pot (I use my 7qt cast iron pot) over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook, stirring until crispy, for about 15 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the “bacon grease” in the pot.
  • Add the onion, celery and carrot to the drippings in the pot; add seasonings and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are soft, for about 10minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Deglaze the pan with the white wine -fancy for: add the white wine and using a flat wooden spoon scrape the bottom of pot as the wine is boiling. Simmer until reduced by half and it thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add beans (additional water if using bulk beans), tomatoes, and stock. Simmer until beans are soft, about 20 minutes (if using bulk beans 1.5hours-2hours).
  • Once beans are soft, stir in lemon zest and juice. Taste beans and adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) if necessary.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the crispy bacon. Right before serving top with parmesan and cover.

Notes

If you want to learn more about how to cook with bulk beans, I love this article. I refer to it often.

Equipment

family kickstart program on a phone and ipad
Clean Eating Program for Families

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 22gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 1111mgPotassium: 812mgFiber: 9gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2825IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 225mgIron: 4mg
Like this recipe?Rate and leave a comment below

More Side Dishes

  • Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
  • How Long to Roast Broccoli
  • Corn on the Cob in the Oven
  • Roasted Whole Beets

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Food & Lifestyle entrepreneur, Laura Fuentes, wearing a bring yellow shirt, looking straight at camera

Hi! I'm Laura.
I inspire moms to live a healthy lifestyle while juggling their family and work with fresh recipes and practical advice.

More about me →

Let's Be Social!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram YouTube
Download The Busy Mom's Guide to a Healthier Life

Fresh Favorites

  • large stack of fluffy pancakes with slice of butter on top
    Fluffy Pancakes Recipe – The Best On Earth!
  • bowl of shredded chicken
    How to Cook Chicken for Chicken Salad
  • low carb lunches in glass lunch containers
    20+ Low Carb Lunch Ideas
  • large baking dish of pesto chicken thighs
    Baked Pesto Chicken Thighs

Trending Now

  • How to Can Salsa the Easy Way
  • collage of 6 different types of chicken tacos
    Epic Chicken Tacos 12 Ways
  • a collage with three smoothies and three blenders
    Best Cheap Blenders for Smoothies
  • list of real foods for intermittent fasting
    Intermittent Fasting Food List

Footer

Browse

  • Recipe Index
  • Weekly Meal Plan
  • Clean Eating Program

Download the Busy Mom's Guide to a Healthy Life

laura holding meal plan guide in front of prepped food

Useful Links

  • Contact
  • Permissions
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2023 LAURA FUENTES · DESIGN BY FUENTES MEDIA