Pasta and beans: a quick, creamy recipe

Name: Pasta and beans: a quick, creamy recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: En
Ingredients: 4 oz pasta (ditalini rigati); 1 cup cooked borlotti beans; ½ cup tomato purée (or peeled tomatoes); 1 garlic clove; Salt to taste; Pepper to taste

Main Dish

Very Easy

27 min

345 Kcal

A traditional peasant recipe: pasta and beans is an inexpensive, comforting, creamy first course that’s perfect to prepare in autumn and winter. To make creamy pasta and beans, you’ll need just one pot, because the pasta cooks directly in the beans stewed with water and tomato sauce. The method is very simple; you just need to remember to stir frequently to create a creamy texture (thanks to the release of starch from the pasta and the stewed beans breaking down as you stir them). Follow the step-by-step recipe to prepare a vegetarian first course with a rich, comforting flavor!

Ingredients

4 oz pasta (ditalini rigati)
1 cup cooked borlotti beans
½ cup tomato purée (or peeled tomatoes)
1 garlic clove
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Materials

1 pot

Preparation

Preparation15 min

Cook time12 min

Pour some oil into a large pot and sauté the garlic. Add the tomato sauce and cook for a few minutes over medium heat.
Then add the beans and let them cook for 4 minutes to absorb the flavors. After that, remove the garlic and set aside a generous tablespoon of beans with the sauce.
Add a glass of hot water to the pot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes on low heat with the lid on to soften the beans.
Once that time has passed, add the pasta to the same pot and continue cooking, stirring often so that the softer beans begin to break down and create a creamy texture (if the beans are still a bit firm, mash them with a wooden spoon).
Once the mixture is creamy, taste the pasta to check whether it is cooked (if it isn’t, add a little more hot water and continue cooking, stirring constantly). Add the beans you set aside, then season with salt and pepper and mix everything together.
Serve in a soup plate and drizzle with a little oil. Creamy pasta and beans is ready!

Rate this recipe

Excellent !!! Very good Good so so Not good

Observations

How long does creamy pasta and beans keep?
A couple of days in the refrigerator (in an airtight container). Before serving, reheat it in a saucepan with a little hot water.

Can I use dried beans to make pasta and beans?
Of course. Soak them overnight, then cook them in boiling water before following the recipe steps.

Can I use fresh tomatoes to make pasta and beans?
Yes. We recommend using a tomato variety suitable for making sauce.

What pasta goes well with beans?
We recommend ditalini rigati, tubetti, or mixed pasta.

How can I flavor pasta and beans?
You can sauté a little rosemary with the garlic for extra flavor.

Can I use cannellini beans to make creamy pasta and beans?
Of course. If you’d like to add some color, you can add ground sweet red pepper or mildly hot paprika.

How can I make pasta and beans soupier?
If you prefer pasta and beans with more broth, add more water while cooking.