Italian Bean Stew Recipe

This delicious Italian bean stew recipe makes a tasty, substantial and super healthy dish – and it is made mostly from store cupboard ingredients. The sweetness of the honey, cinnamon and carrot contrasts very nicely against the earthy flavour of the spinach.

This dish is reminiscent of an authentic Italian restaurant – or perhaps dining in an intimate Greek taverna or French bistro during sunny holidays on the Med. The stew is rich in protein, iron and all sorts of other stuff that’s really very good for you. If you want to make it vegan, substitute the honey with agave nectar or maple, brown rice, barley malt or sorghum syrup.

I much prefer this to Italian bean soup recipes, as it makes a far more filling meal. We use many vegetarian recipes in our household meal plans, as they’re so easy to make. If you prefer, use borlotti beans or cannellini beans instead here. You don’t have to make it an authentic Tuscan bean stew recipe, just go with what you like – or have. There’s no need for vegetable stock, as the herbs and spices add plenty of flavour. Being gluten free, it is suitable for various special diets.

This vegetarian bean stew serves 4

Italian bean stew recipe ingredients

• Olive oil, for frying
• Red onion, 1, chopped
• Carrot, 1, chopped finely
• Chopped tomatoes, 1 tin
• Butter beans, 1 tin, drained
• Tomato puree, 1 tbsp
• Honey, 1 tbsp
• Chilli flakes, a pinch
• Cinnamon, a pinch
• Oregano, dried, 1 tsp
• Parsley, dried, 1 tsp
• Garlic cloves, 2, crushed
• Spinach, frozen, 200g
• Button mushrooms, a few, quartered

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spatula

How to make Mediterranean Bean Stew

• Heat a dash of olive oil in a saucepan. Add the onion and carrot, and fry, stirring, for around 5 minutes until they begin to turn transparent.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and give it all a really good stir. Then simmer for about 20 minutes over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened nicely.

Serve this Italian bean recipe with pasta, rice or crusty bread

Related recipes:

• Veggie tagine
• Slow cooker Vietnamese beef stew
• Jackfruit Chilli
• Chickpea & red kidney bean curry
• Vegan Dhansak

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