Slow Cooker Tuscan White Beans

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These easy Slow Cooker Tuscan White Beans with fire-roasted tomatoes, red peppers, sweet onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of spice make the perfect vegetarian main dish or hearty side dish.

252 CAL 45g CARBS 3g FAT 12g PROTEIN
1 Comment

These easy slow cooker Tuscan-inspired white beans with fire-roasted tomatoes, red peppers, sweet onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of spice make the perfect vegetarian main dish or hearty side dish. 

After recently hearing a report on all the health benefits of beans, I have been trying to add more of them to my diet. According to that report, beans are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, and zinc and can help reduce the risk of many cancers as well as diabetes and heart disease. Plus they keep me full for a really long time, which is always a bonus.

To get things started, I made this recipe for Slow Cooker Red Pepper Italian White Beans that I have been loving as a meatless entree or side dish. The beans are creamy and full of flavor from the red peppers, garlic, and vinegar. I like to kick things up with red pepper flakes as well, but you could leave these out if you don't like spice.

To keep things simple I didn't add any extra veggies to the recipe, but you could definitely add some greens to pack in extra nutrients. Served with a warm bowl of polenta and some grated Parmesan cheese and it's one delicious and comforting meal.

Ingredients for crockpot Italian white beans including white beans, diced tomatoes, red peppers, herbs, and spices.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Once you get the hang of this recipe, it's easy to swap in different beans, vegetables, and spices to create unique flavor combinations. 

  • White Beans: White beans are classically used in Italian cooking, but there are lots of beans that would work in this recipe. Make it with cannellini beans, Northern white beans, chickpeas, or pinto beans.
  • Fire Roasted Tomatoes: Any type of diced tomatoes will work in this recipe. The slightly smoky flavor of the fire-roasted tomatoes adds a really nice flavor.
  • Red Peppers: Any bell peppers will work in this recipe and you could use a combination of red, green, orange, or yellow peppers. You can also swap in roasted red peppers for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Sweet Onion: The sweetness of a Vidalia or other sweet onion works really well in this recipe, but you could also use white or yellow onion.
  • Garlic: It's hard to make an Italian recipe without some garlic. Add extra if you want even more garlic flavor. You could swap in garlic powder or minced garlic if that's all you have, but fresh will have the best flavor.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: To add some richness to the dish, balsamic vinegar is the perfect addition. 
  • Spices: This recipe uses Italian seasoning since it combines lots of dried spices in one. You could also use your own combination of dried basil, oregano, and parsley.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

  • Want more veggies? This recipe works great with added veggies! For hearty vegetables like kale, Swiss chard, or butternut squash - add them in the beginning since they take longer to cook. For quicker cooking vegetables like zucchini, green beans, broccoli, or spinach, add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking. You may need to up the seasoning if you add lots of extra veggies.
  • Add some cheese: If you aren't making a vegan dish, finish the white beans with some shredded Parmesan, crumbled goat cheese, or pearls of fresh mozzarella.
  • Fresh herbs: To really take this dish to the next level, finish it with some fresh basil or parsley. This adds both flavor and freshness.
  • Turn it into soup! This dish also works great as soup as well. Just add some chicken or vegetable broth and kick up the seasoning a bit. 

How to Serve Tuscan White Beans

This dish works great as a vegetarian entree or side dish. Here are some ways to serve it up!

Storage and Leftovers

Beans are perfect for meal prep and store well in the fridge and freezer. In fact, they get even better after a night in the fridge for the flavors to deepen and combine. These Tuscan White Beans will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days and the freezer for up to 4 months. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this be made into a soup?

This dish makes a really delicious Tuscan White bean Soup. Add 2-3 cups of vegetable or chicken broth to achieve the thickness you want. You can also add in spinach, sauteed sausage, shredded chicken, fennel, or other vegetables.

Can protein be added to these white beans?

Absolutely! Our favorites included chicken sausage, chicken breasts, shrimp (cooked separately), or tofu for a vegetarian protein option.

What other beans can be used?

This recipe works with all different beans including garbanzo beans, cannellini beans, Northern beans, and pinto beans.

The Recipe
Slow Cooker Tuscan white beams with sliced red peppers, sliced onions, white beans, and spices in the crockpot.

Slow Cooker Tuscan White Beans

252 CAL 45g CARBS 3g FAT 12g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 4 Hours
TOTAL TIME: 4 Hours, 10 Min
1 Comment
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 30 oz. canned white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 20 oz. canned diced fire roasted tomatoes (undrained)
  • 3 red peppers, sliced
  • 1 sweet onion, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes (or more, optional)
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper (more to taste)
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

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Instructions

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1

Add everything to the slow cooker and stir well. Cook on low for 4 hours. Taste and season if needed.

White beans, red peppers, onions, red pepper flakes, garlic, and herbs in a slow cooker.
2

More veggies? This dish is delicious with extra veggies. For heartier veggies like kale, Swiss chard, or butternut squash you can add them at the beginning of cooking. For quicker cooking vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower - add them 30 minutes before the dish is finished cooking.

Tuscan white beans with red peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs in a slow cooker.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 3/4 cup - 1 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 252
Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g
5%
Saturated Fat 1g
2%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 623mg
27%
Total Carbohydrate 45g
15%
Dietary Fiber 11g
43%
Sugars 9g
Protein 12g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
1 Comment
On Slow Cooker Tuscan White Beans
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Tracy
August 22, 2022 - 11:59
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4
Made this recipe yesterday and it was very tasty. I only used 2 red peppers since the ones I had were very large and it was plenty. Great recipe and I'm looking forward to leftovers for dinner!
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