Our 13 Best Bean Skillet Recipes

by vegabytes

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Bean skillets are an endlessly versatile way to bring in some extra protein, fiber and other nutrients into your day. From spicy black beans to creamy butter beans, these skillets have earned four- and five-star ratings from EatingWell readers. Recipes like our Pizza Bean Skillet or Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet Beans are the healthy and comforting answer to dinner indecision.

01 of 13

Pizza Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.

This one-pan vegetarian dinner captures all the savory, cheesy flavors of pizza in a hearty skillet of beans and vegetables. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and perfect for scooping up with crusty bread or serving over whole grains for a more filling meal.

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02 of 13

French Onion Skillet Beans

Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee.

Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee.

Inspired by classic French onion soup, this comforting skillet bake turns caramelized onions and creamy butter beans into a weeknight-friendly dish. Topped with a gooey blanket of Gruyère and fontina and a crisp layer of panko, it delivers all the flavors of a slow-simmered favorite in under an hour. It’s perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want something hearty, cheesy and satisfying.

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03 of 13

Easy White Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

This easy white bean skillet brings together pantry staples and fresh greens for a comforting plant-based meal. Sweet onion, tomatoes and garlic form a rich, savory base for creamy white beans. A handful of spinach adds freshness and color, and a sprinkle of Parmesan ties everything together with salty richness. Served alongside toasted whole-wheat baguette slices for dipping, it’s a fast, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a simple weekend supper.

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04 of 13

Spanakopita-Inspired Skillet Beans

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Isabelle Easter, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Creamy, herbaceous and comforting, these skillet beans draw inspiration from spanakopita, the Greek spinach pie. Cannellini beans add plant-based protein and fiber to make this dinner filling while fresh dill, parsley and a squeeze of lemon provide brightness. Serve it straight from the skillet with multigrain pita chips for dipping.

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05 of 13

Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

These broccoli-Cheddar butter beans are a cozy dish that will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup, but in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor. Everything comes together in one pan, creating a thick texture that’s perfect for scooping up with crusty bread.

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06 of 13

Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Josh Hoggle.

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Josh Hoggle.

This Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Skillet is a delicious, one-pan meal that’s packed with flavor. Tender cubes of butternut squash and hearty black beans are simmered in green enchilada sauce, with tortilla strips stirred in. As it cooks, the tortillas soak up the sauce. A layer of melted cheese ties everything together. It’s a satisfying, vegetarian-friendly dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

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07 of 13

Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This Baked Feta, Tomato & White Bean Skillet is the perfect dish for scooping up with your favorite toasted whole-grain bread. Juicy cherry tomatoes burst as they roast, mingling with creamy white beans to create a flavorful base. Chunky pieces of feta cheese are nestled into the skillet and baked until warm and soft. The result is a savory, creamy mix with tangy bites of feta in every bite.

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08 of 13

Creamy Pesto Beans

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

These creamy pesto beans come together in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a warm, crusty baguette. For a heartier meal, serve the beans over whole-grain pasta, letting the sauce coat every bite.

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09 of 13

Cheesy White Bean & Rice Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

This cheesy white bean and rice skillet is the ultimate one-pan wonder. The rice forms a crispy golden layer at the bottom, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. Aromatic seasonings combine with tender white beans, while a blanket of melted provolone over the top brings on ooey-gooey perfection. If you like a little heat, don’t skip the teaspoon of chopped Calabrian chiles.

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10 of 13

Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

This Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet is a different take on Marry Me Chicken—a dish traditionally made with chicken coated in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given it a vegetarian spin. You’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce, so serve this with a nice hunk of crusty whole-grain bread.

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11 of 13

White Bean Enchilada Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This skillet recipe takes inspiration from classic enchiladas, featuring veggies, tortillas, white beans and a cheesy topping. Instead of rolling up the filling, the tortillas are baked right into the skillet for the perfect weeknight dinner. We love tangy green enchilada sauce here, but feel free to swap it out for red sauce if you prefer.

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12 of 13

Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Butter Beans

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

These creamy garlic-Parmesan butter beans are a quick and comforting plant-based dinner. Velvety butter beans are simmered in broth with plenty of garlic and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and flavorful stew-like dinner. Served with crusty bread for dipping, it’s the perfect cozy meal to whip up on a busy evening—hearty, warm and utterly delicious.

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13 of 13

Cheesy Chicken & White Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This chicken and white bean skillet is so easy, creamy and cheesy you’ll want to eat it on repeat! With minimal prep and easy-to-find ingredients, it’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s sure to satisfy. Pepper Jack cheese and a jalapeño pepper add kick to the sauce. If you want to reduce the heat, swap out the pepper Jack for Monterey Jack and skip the jalapeño.

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Read the original article on EatingWell

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