15 White Bean Recipes Too Good To Pass Up

White beans are delicious and make almost any meal better. They have so much good-for-you nutrition and blend well with so many different ingredients that it’s almost silly not to include them in day-to-day cooking. Use them to make anything from dips to soups, sauces, or salads. If blended, they add creaminess to a dish like soup. If unblinded, they add nutrition and wonderful flavors in their whole state. These fifteen white bean recipes will help you get started eating more of these wonderful beans.

1. Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip with Tortilla Chips.
Photo Credit: Michael Kraus/Shutterstock.

This delicious, healthy spinach artichoke dip is great for gatherings of friends or family or simply for snacks for yourself. It’s made mostly of beans, including cannellini beans, so the base is more nutrition-packed. It’s healthy snacking you won’t feel guilty about.

2. 4 Bean Chili

A closeup of a white bowl filled with 4 bean chili.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Whether you’re looking for Meatless Monday inspiration or a hearty meal, this 4 bean chili is for you. It’s healthy and filling, satisfying your tummy, so you won’t miss the meat used in most chili recipes. You can add rice or quinoa for extra bulk or enjoy this as a starter course for a larger meal.

3. White Bean Soup

A white bowl sits filled with white bean soup.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

A comforting Italian soup made with cannellini beans, vegetables, garlic, herbs, and optional bacon. This white bean soup is a perfect light meal or side dish, and since beans are inexpensive, it’s a healthy and budget-friendly meal as well. It packs up well in a Thermos for lunches, too. Just don’t forget the garlic bread.

4. Tuscan Pasta Salad

A side view of a white bowl filled with Tuscan pasta salad.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Tuscan pasta salad is a quick and easy summer pasta salad. Adding veggies, beans, and optional cheese makes a tasty pasta dish or side. This dish offers the Tuscan flavors you love and is guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Serve this with a side salad and some crunchy garlic bread to round out the meal.

5. Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

An overhead view of a white bowl full of cowboy beans. A wood spoon rests in the side of the bowl.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This is a delicious, easy-to-make recipe for slow cooker cowboy beans, which can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish to other courses. It uses a can of cannellini beans as well as other types of beans for a nutritious meal that is perfect over baked potatoes or with some crunchy garlic bread.

6. White Bean Hummus

An overhead view of a metal serving bowl filled with white bean hummus and garnished with sliced green onions.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This white bean hummus is a delicious rendition of the beloved, classic dip. Instead of using traditional chickpeas, make hummus with cannellini beans and navy beans. There is a slight flavor difference that everyone will love, and it can be served with the same things you would normally serve regular hummus with. Pita chips, anyone?

7. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

An overhead view of a bowl of white chicken chili that is garnished with avocado slices, a lime slice, jalapeno slices and fresh cilantro.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This slow cooker white chicken chili recipe is perfect for dinner any night of the week. It’s perfect on a cooler night when you want a bowl of something warm and comforting. This recipe fits the bill and won’t disappoint in the nutrition department. Plus, it’s light enough to enjoy on a warmer night but can be turned into a full meal with suggested additions.

8. White Bean Alfredo

A jar filled with White Bean Alfredo Sauce with a few white beans laying in front of the jar on a wooden surface.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you’re a fan of Alfredo sauce, you should try this white bean Alfredo recipe. It’s wonderfully creamy and dairy-free. Since it’s made with a can of cannellini beans, it’s also nutritious. It has all the flavor and creamy texture of regular Alfredo sauce, but it’s far healthier for you. Use it for pasta sauce or even for dipping things like pizza into as you eat. It’s a great multipurpose sauce.

9. Leftover Hearty Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

An overhead view of a white crock filled with ham and bean soup.
Photo Credit: XOXO Bella.

Try this leftover hearty ham and cannellini bean soup for a comforting, flavor-packed meal. It’s a great recipe that’s perfect for using extra cans of cannellini beans or leftover ham. Pair this with a side salad and some crunchy garlic bread or a warm dinner roll to round out the meal.

10. Mediterranean Bean Salad

A white mixing bowl holds Mediterranean bean salad. Salad tongs lay next to the bowl.
Photo Credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

This Mediterranean bean salad is made with simple and fresh ingredients, but you can toss in a can of cannellini beans for added nutrition. It’s perfect for a light lunch or a side dish for BBQ night. You can even toss this with pasta, quinoa, or other salad grains to make the meal even more robust.

11. Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

A white bowl filled with Italian tuna white bean salad.
Photo Credit: XOXO Bella.

Italian tuna white bean salad is a delicious and hearty meal you can enjoy on its own or mixed with rice or any grain you prefer. The tuna will fill you up, and the fiber from the beans will keep you full for hours. It’s a satisfying meal the entire family can enjoy.

12. Escarole And Beans

An overhead view of two bowls filled with escarole and beans.
Photo Credit: Running To The Kitchen.

If you enjoy brothy soups and stew, this escarole and beans should be at the top of your to-make list. Serve it with some crunchy garlic bread on the side for a main meal, or serve it as a first course for a larger meal. Either way, it’s a delicious way to get some truly great nutrition into your day.

13. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

An overhead view of a white plate filled with Mediterranean quinoa salad.
Photo Credit: XOXO Bella.

If you love Mediterranean flavors, you simply must try this Mediterranean quinoa salad. With plenty of fresh herbs, beans, and vegetables, this recipe is both filling and satisfying. It packs up easily for lunch on the go and can also be used as a side dish to other things for dinner. Either way, you’ll adore the fresh flavors in this salad.

14. Roasted Red Pepper Dip Recipe

An overhead view of a white bowl filled with roasted red pepper dip surrounded by crackers.
Photo Credit: Running To The Kitchen.

A good dip is an essential component of a happy life. This roasted red pepper dip makes a delicious snack and is great for dipping anything from raw veggie sticks to pita chips. Pack it in smaller containers to take it with you on the go, or serve it in a nice, big bowl to share with friends and family.

15. White Bean And Kale Quesadillas

Two slices of a kale quesadilla with white beans lay on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Running To The Kitchen.

If you need a quick and nutritious meal, this white bean and kale quesadilla is a fantastic option. The kale and beans give you amazing nutrition while also packing in the flavor. You won’t be left hunger after eating this, but you can certainly round out the meal with a bowl of soup or a green salad.

More From The Gracious Pantry

A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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