Asparagus, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet

Asparagus, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet that is a delicious vegetarian main dish or side dish that comes together in no time. For asparagus lovers, this dish will be something you make all the time. It ranks up there as a favorite along with this One Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus and Asparagus and Tomato Frittata with Feta.

This dish is the definition of simplicity calling for tomatoes, asparagus, red onion, and white beans paired with garlic, thyme, and lemon.  That's it.  Everything is sauteed and in about 10 minutes you have a delicious meal or side dish.  When serving this as a meal, I like to pair it with some hearty quinoa or couscous and add a fried or poached egg on top.  Sprinkled goat or feta cheese is also a delicious addition.  Also, don't be scared of having leftovers.  This makes a surprisingly delicious quesadilla, grain bowl, and sandwich.

The other thing that I love about this dish is that it really lets the ingredients sing. Nothing is hidden by thick sauces or tons of spices. Instead, you can really taste the vegetables. For that reason, it's important to get fresh and flavorful vegetables. Look for crisp asparagus that has been recently picked.  When it comes to the tomatoes, you really want to capitalize on their sweet flavor in the dish. If tomatoes aren't in season, you can use canned tomatoes instead. Many times canned tomatoes actually have more flavor than fresh if tomatoes aren't in season. Cherry tomatoes are another good option since they tend to be sweeter and have more flavor year round.

What makes this dish healthy?

• Asparagus is packed with good for you nutrient like fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K. It also contains chromium, which is great for regulating blood sugar. Its also believed to help fight cancer and be beneficial for your brain.
• Tomatoes have tons of nutrients and many health benefits. Among many benefits, tomatoes are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that helps to mitigate free radicals in your body. They are also known to support blood pressure, heart, digestive, and skin health.
• White beans are a member of the legume family and pack in both plant-based protein and fiber. They support digestive health and help regulate blood sugar. They also contain potassium, folate, calcium, and Vitamin C.
• Olive oil has long been known as one of the healthiest options when it comes to cooking oils and fat. Packed with monounsaturated fats, this heart-healthy oil has tons of health benefits.
• Garlic has been used for centuries as an anti-viral, medicinal food that can help fight infection.

Side Dish Ideas for Asparagus, Tomato, and White Bean Skillet

Although this dish could be a side dish, I most often serve it as a main dish. The easiest option to complete this meal is to add a whole grain like quinoa, farro, barley, or brown rice. It's also delicious with whole wheat pasta or rice noodles. To finish the meal, I like to top everything with either a fried egg, cheese, or both.  There are so many different cheese options you could use - goat cheese, Parmesan, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, or feta cheese.  

Can I add chicken or shrimp to this recipe?

Although this dish is meant to be a vegetarian main dish option, I often hear from meat eaters that they want to know how to add meat to the dish. It's actually really easy to add most meats to this dish and the end result will be delicious. Start by chopping the protein into bite-sized pieces. The season the protein with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Then add it to the hot skillet with olive oil before adding the vegetables. Once the protein is just cooked through, remove it and set aside. Continue with the recipe and cook the veggies as directed. Add the protein back in with the white beans. 

If you would like to add a protein without needing extra seasoning, lean sausage is a great option. You can use lean chicken sausage or lean turkey sausage. Both ground sausage and link sausage will work. For ground sausage, brown it first and then add the remaining ingredients. For link sausages, brown it first in the pan and then remove it and set aside. Then add it back with the beans and season as needed.