Spicy Tomato White Bean Stew
Published Feb. 23, 2024
- Total Time
- 30 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 20 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:3 to 4 servings
- ½cup diced bacon or pancetta (3 strips; optional)
- 2 to 4tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 7garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- 1(14-ounce) can peeled plum tomatoes
- 3(15-ounce) cans white beans, drained
- ½teaspoon fine sea or table salt, plus more to taste
- 1cup vegetable or chicken broth
- Grated Pecorino Romano, for serving (optional)
- Coarsely ground black pepper or smoked paprika, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
584 calories; 19 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 76 grams carbohydrates; 17 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 30 grams protein; 1383 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
In a medium pot over medium-high heat, fry the bacon or pancetta until crisp and browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan. Reserve diced bacon or pancetta for garnish. (Skip this step if not using the bacon.)
- Step 2
Add 2 tablespoons oil to the pot if you used the bacon or 4 tablespoons oil if you didn’t. Heat the oil for a few seconds, then add garlic and red-pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until garlic is pale golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Step 3
Dice the canned plum tomatoes. Add tomatoes and their liquid to the pot, along with the beans, salt and broth. Let liquid come to a boil, then lower the heat so the mixture is at a rapid simmer. Mash about a quarter of the beans with a potato masher or wooden spoon against the side of the pot, and simmer until the stew has thickened, 7 to 15 minutes. Taste and add more salt if you like.
- Step 4
Serve warm in bowls topped with reserved bacon and grated cheese if you like, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of pepper, smoked paprika or both.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Jo Anne
The first ingredient in this "vegetarian stew" recipe is bacon; #8 is chicken broth. Perhaps this recipe should have been billed a stew that could be altered to be vegetarian.
Ron
I would not list bacon or pancetta in an article on vegetarian soups . I know it says optional but I would hav omitted it .
Kaydee
When I saw the title of this recipe, Spicy Tomato White Bean Stew, I thought, "Oh, a recipe with harissa!" Well, harissa is not an ingredient listed in the recipe but for me this is going to be a recipe with harissa.
Warren
@Joanne The bacon/pancetta is listed as optional, the chicken stock is listed as an alternative to vegetable stock
Jen in Toledo
I made this tonight and it was very good. There are only 2 of us eating so I used 2 cans of beans (Great Northern and Pinto). I halved the red pepper flakes because my husband doesn’t like spicy food. I used 2/3 cup chicken broth and one 14 oz can of diced tomatoes. Otherwise I made the recipe exactly as written including 3 slices of bacon. Quick and easy. Honestly, I wish I had made more.
Leek
For those recipes calling for 14oz cans of plum tomatoes, I do one of 3 things, depending on the effect I want - 1- sub a can of diced tomatoes 2 - sub a can of crushed tomatoes 3 - divide a 28oz can of whole tomatoes and freeze 1/2 for the next time
Su
I like my soups chunky so I added diced fennel, onion and carrot to the bacon fat before adding in the sliced garlic. I served it with a warm baguette and it was a really delicious meal on a cold, windy night.
Tony
Do people actually find smaller than 28oz can of whole tomatoes? I imagine this would be subsititud with 14 oz crushed, which should still be excellent. Soup sounds delightful, can't wait to try.
MplsMike
Substitute shitake mushroom powder (1.5T) for the bacon to make it vegetarian. Also, I'd sauteed a chopped onion, and cut back on the garlic. I'd also add some tomato paste.
Christine
Would be interested to know what white beans others are using…cannellini, butter, great Northern, or…?
Susan
Looking at the stew in the pot, it reminds me of a very hearty pasta sauce. All the elements are there, plus beans. I could see serving this over rotini or penne if I were 30 years younger with the metabolism to match! Instead, I stirred in some arugula. Still excellent.
Kathy
I make a version of this to which I add 1T thyme (the secret ingredient). I saute onion first, add garlic, also chopped sweet peppers, shredded carrot, tomato paste, and I use canned cannelini beans, canned diced tomatoes, and quartered Aidell's apple chicken sausage. Yum! Be sure to have garlic toast to slop up the liquid.
Vivek
This was incredible, though I changed the recipe slightly by using shallots and garlic instead of garlic alone. For seasoning I included some TJ’s dried sofrito.
Nancy Holland
Caramelized a roughly chopped onion in the pancetta fat, then added the garlic. Added 2T tomato paste and cooked that before adding the tomatoes. Added sprigs of thyme. Simmered beans for 10 min before adding half a yellow bell pepper, chopped; simmered 10 minutes more. Served with a flurry of chopped oregano, grated parm and a drizzle of pretty olive oil. And warm baguette. Delicious!
Waves
Good recipe, but could be a little bland if you're not careful! I tossed in some onion and carrot along with the garlic, and a dash of tamari for an umami boost. Overall, pretty tasty and easy. Also an easy one for using up bits of random vegetables in your fridge.
adjustments
Also, try some greens next time.
deb
I made as is with the bacon. Half a cup is about 2 slices so 1/2 slice per serving. Minimal. It was tasty and easy. Could be doctored up. For the cheese garnish, I did grated romano.
debhender
Add more red pepper flakes, spinach or kale. Pretty good flavor, maybe better on Day 2
Recipe Adjustment
Add thyme; add oregano; add a rind of parm. Post-boil, cook lower and slower.
Recipe Adjustment
Add thyme; add oregano; add parm rind (small); post-boil, cook longer at low.
Susan
The ingredients are modest but the sum is much greater than the parts. (I *did* use pancetta.) It made 6 servings for our family and everyone loved it. Next time I will add another C of broth.
StillLearning
A big hit! Used a tsp smoked paprika soaked in the olive oil about 30 min before cooking, to help boost the smokiness w/o meat. I left out the bacon and used veg broth instead of chicken. Used good quality fire roasted diced tomato instead of the canned whole - you dice them anyway! Added a bag of frozen spinach for the last simmer to complete the dish. Other than the endless garlic slicing (doubled the recipe) this was pantry friendly and easy. In the rotation!
P Dennis &
Get over the bacony anecdotes. We omitted the swine and added a bunch of Swiss chard to lift the nutrition. The pecorino Romano finish is a must as it brings all the flavors together. Solid, quick and healthy dish.
Ami
Has any one made this up the day before? Do the beans get mushy if you do leave it overnight (refrigerated, of course)?
Laura
Delicious & easy. Made vegan version. Added harissa and sliced turnips and chopped turnip greens.
TrixieP
Very tasty and so easy! Next time I might add some greens or other veggies to make it a one pot meal.
conehead
Trader Joe’s has a 14 oz. can of fire roasted diced tomatoes with jalapeños. They spice up (not overwhelmingly so) any dish. They also have 14oz. cans of tomatoes.
Posy Ge
We added some chopped up kimchi on top. Next time, I’ll cook it with the broth.
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