Gigante Beans in Tomatoes with Melted Cheese | CookOS

Gigante Beans in Tomatoes

Name: Gigante Beans in Tomatoes with Melted Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 20 min
Total time: 3 h 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 celery stalk, finely chopped; 1 carrot, peeled and chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tbsp oregano; 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 2 (14.5 oz) cans lima beans or 14.5 ounces of gigante beans; 8 oz shredded mozzarella; 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley or fresh oregano leaves (optional); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Gigante beans in tomatoes is a Greek-style braise featuring large white beans simmered in tangy crushed tomato sauce with oregano, then topped with melted mozzarella for a cheesy, savory finish. It's a simple vegetarian dish that delivers restaurant-quality depth with minimal effort.

🌍Greek 🥗Vegetarian 🏷️Gigante beans 🏷️Lima beans 🏷️Tomatoes Mozzarella

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Total

3h 50m

Servings

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp oregano
1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (14.5 oz) cans lima beans or 14.5 ounces of gigante beans
8 oz shredded mozzarella
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley or fresh oregano leaves (optional)optional
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Stir together the olive oil, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and oregano in a Suvie pan. Insert into your Suvie and Roast at 400°F for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.
2
Remove pan and add crushed tomatoes, beans, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
3
Insert pan into your Suvie, input settings, and cook now or schedule. Bottom Zone: Slow Cook High for 2 hours.
4
Remove pan from your Suvie, sprinkle mozzarella all over the beans, and return pan to Suvie.
5
Broil for 10 minutes, or until browned and bubbling, rotating pan halfway through cooking, watching closely to avoid burning.
6
Remove pan from Suvie. Divide beans between plates, garnish with parsley or oregano (if using), and serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Soften the onion, celery, and carrot in olive oil first (about 5 minutes) to build a flavorful base before adding garlic and oregano.
Simmer the beans and tomato sauce uncovered so the liquid reduces and flavors concentrate; don't cover or the sauce will stay too watery.
Top the dish with cheese just before serving or add it in the last 2–3 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking the mozzarella.
Taste the sauce after 15 minutes and adjust seasoning with salt and oregano; canned tomatoes can vary in acidity, so a pinch of sugar balances if needed.

Substitutions

Crushed tomatoes → tomato sauce (use slightly less, about 1 cup, as it's thicker) or fresh tomatoes (roughly chop and simmer longer for reduction)
Mozzarella → feta cheese (crumbled; adds tanginess) or Pecorino Romano (sharper, more traditional)
Fresh parsley/oregano → fresh basil (add at the end) or dried herbs (use 1 tsp total instead of fresh, stirred in with oregano)
Olive oil → butter or avocado oil (though olive oil is traditional and imparts flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat and top with fresh cheese just before serving.

Common Questions

Can I use dried gigante beans instead of canned?

Yes. Soak dried gigante beans overnight, then simmer for 1.5–2 hours until tender before adding the tomato sauce and finishing as written.

What's the difference between gigante beans and lima beans?

Gigante beans are larger, creamier, and have a more delicate flavor; lima beans are smaller and slightly starchy. Both work here, though gigante beans are more traditional in Greek cooking.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Braise the beans in tomato sauce up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate, then top with cheese and bake just before serving.

Is this dish vegan-friendly?

The recipe as written is vegetarian but not vegan due to the mozzarella. Use dairy-free mozzarella or nutritional yeast for a vegan version.

How do I know when the beans are done?

The beans should be very tender and easily pierced with a fork, and the tomato sauce should be slightly thickened and concentrated, about 20–25 minutes of simmering.