Tomato and White Bean Casserole

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This panzanella-inspired Tomato and White Bean Casserole is the perfect side dish or light lunch or dinner for warming weather. It’s bursting with fresh flavor from cherry tomatoes and shallots, mixed between layers of crunchy toasted bread, and topped with a nutty cashew parmesan and a caper gremolata. 
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 40 minutes
Total 1 hour
5 from 108 votes

When warmer weather is on the horizon, I love introducing lighter dishes into the rotation, like this Tomato and White Bean Casserole. Think of it as a panzanella salad but in casserole form (panzanella is an Italian tomato and bread salad). It’s refreshing and won’t weigh you down, but it’s still satisfying and not quite a full summer recipe.

Bursting with fresh flavor from cherry tomatoes, shallots, basil, parsley, and capers, it features layers of flavor and textural complexity. It makes a fabulous side dish, but thanks to the addition of white beans, it’s substantial enough to be served for lunch or dinner.

tomato and white bean casserole with spoon dug in

Why you’ll love this recipe

Light but satisfying. If you’re craving recipes that are a little lighter as we head into spring, this is a great option. It’s light and fresh, but more substantial and satisfying than a panzanella salad (its inspiration).

If you’re looking for another recipe that brings the freshness of spring in a cozy package, you gotta check out this Savory Asparagus Galette with Ricotta. Or, for a salad that’s light and fresh but satisfying, try this Pearl Couscous and Lentil Salad. Or if you’re just trying to figure out that can of white beans, check out this round-up of delicious bean recipes.

Layers of fresh flavor. We start with a layer of sweet cherry tomatoes, mild and subtly sweet shallots, and earthy thyme, which get baked together with white beans and toasty bread. Then they’re covered with a nutty cashew parm and an herby caper gremolata, which brings the brininess of capers, the pungent sharpness of raw garlic, and the herbaceous zip from fresh basil and parsley. So much goodness!

Textural contrast. A dish with varying textures is always a win in my book. Here, the top pieces of bread get golden and crunchy, whereas the pieces submerged in the casserole get softened and melt into the background. The cherry tomatoes remain juicy, some of them retain their shape while others wrinkle up into caramelized goodness. And the cashew parm covers everything with a subtle crunch.

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For a summer casserole that has all kinds of crispy textural goodness, be sure to bookmark this Crispy Zucchini and Corn Casserole.

closeup of tomato and white bean casserole with fresh basil

How to make this Tomato and White Bean Casserole

Cut the bread into 3/4-inch (2 cm) cubes. Toss with extra virgin olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt. Bake at 350°F (176°C) for 10 minutes.

bread cubes tossed with olive oil on sheet pan

Slice the cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. Plating them on a pretty tray is not necessary but makes for a nice photo.

platter of sliced rainbow cherry tomatoes

Add the sliced tomatoes and shallots to a very large bowl, separating the shallots into rings as much as possible.

Add the chopped garlic, thyme leaves, and white beans to the tomato-shallot mixture. Drizzle in extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the toasted bread cubes to the tomato-shallot mixture and toss to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a 3-quart/3-liter baking dish.

Bake at 350°F (176°C) for 35 to 40 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Meanwhile, make the Cashew Parm. Add the cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and extra virgin olive oil to a food processor.

Pulse the Cashew Parm mixture repeatedly until fine and crumbly (pulse, not blend).

Meanwhile, make the Caper Gremolata with the basil, parsley, garlic, capers, and flaky salt.

Finely chop the parsley and basil. Grate the garlic on top of the herbs, and chop the capers into the mixture. Sprinkle with flaky salt.

Top the casserole with the Cashew Parmesan. Place the pan under the broiler for a few minutes until nicely browned.

Allow to cool slightly, then top with the Caper Gremolata.

Substitutes for this Recipe

Cherry Tomatoes? Grape tomatoes work great. Regular tomatoes do not (too watery).

Fresh Thyme? You can substitute the 1 tablespoon thyme leaves with 1 teaspoon dried thyme, or simply omit it.

Cannellini Beans? You can easily substitute a smaller white bean, such as navy beans or Great Northern Beans.

tomato and white bean casserole with serving on a ceramic plate

Expert Tips

If you’re cooking for 1 or 2 or don’t want leftovers, you can easily halve this recipe and bake it in an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) pan.

You won’t need to use all of the Cashew Parm when you first sprinkle it on the top of the casserole (I used 1/2 to 2/3 of it). Not to worry though because it has a great shelf life (store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks). You can sprinkle it on salads, soups, roasted veggies, beans or lentils, or anywhere you want a nutty crunch. You can also sprinkle more of it on top of the casserole when reheating leftovers (see below).

Don’t skip the caper gremolata! The capers add an occasional salty, briny bite that is lovely with the tomatoes and shallots. The fresh herbs bring a lot of bright zippiness and complexity to this dish. And the raw garlic peppers this dish with the occasional sharp bite.

flatlay closeup of tomato and white bean casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of bread should I use for this casserole?

I recommend visiting your local bakery or the bakery department of your grocery store and picking a soft but sturdy loaf of freshly baked bread. I’ve used a soft loaf of Italian bread and French bread (not a baguette).
I’d advise against something already crunchy and chewy like sourdough. I initially tried it with sourdough and some of the pieces were too crunchy to chew.

How can I make this recipe nut-free?

Substitute the cashew parm with toasted breadcrumbs. It’s more bread, sure, but it provides that irresistible crunchy topping we’re looking for.

How do you store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. When reheating, transfer to a shallow, oven-safe baking dish and top with leftover cashew parm. Bake at 350°F (176°C) for 12-15 minutes, until heated through.

I hope you give this Tomato and White Bean Casserole a try! If you do, please leave a rating and review below with your feedback and tag me on Instagram with your remakes :)

closeup tomato and white bean casserole with fresh herbs

Tomato and White Bean Casserole

5 from 108 votes
This panzanella-inspired Tomato and White Bean Casserole is the perfect side dish or light lunch or dinner for warming weather. It’s bursting with fresh flavor from cherry tomatoes and shallots, mixed between layers of crunchy toasted bread, and topped with a nutty cashew parmesan and a caper gremolata. 
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 8 to 10, as a side

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces (285g) of soft but sturdy rustic bread*
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 pounds (900g) cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 5 medium shallots (6-7 ounces or 170-200g), peeled and sliced into rings
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves**
  • 2 (15-ounce/425g) cans of cannellini beans***, drained and rinsed
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Cashew Parm****

  • ½ cup (70g) raw cashews
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Caper Gremolata

  • ¾ cup (9g) Italian flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • ½ cup (7-8g) fresh basil leaves
  • 2 large garlic cloves, left whole and peeled
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • Flaky or coarse sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F°/176°C. Chop the bread into ¾-inch (2 cm) cubes and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle 1 ½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, until lightly golden but not too hard.
  • Meanwhile, in a very large bowl (the largest bowl you have), combine the tomatoes, and shallots. Separate the shallots into individual rings as much as possible. Add the garlic, thyme leaves, and beans. Drizzle the mixture with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and season with 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt and lots of freshly cracked black pepper. Toss well to combine.
  • Add the baked bread cubes to the mix and gently toss to ensure the bread cubes are coated and well combined. Transfer the tomato mixture to a 3-quart/3-liter baking dish (I used a 13×9" pan).
    NOTE: if your bowl isn’t big enough to hold the bread cubes, transfer the tomato-shallot mixture to the baking dish, then mix in the bread.
  • Bake the casserole in the preheated oven at 350°F/176°C for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top bread pieces are golden and crunchy.
  • Meanwhile, make the Cashew Parmesan. Add the cashews, nutritional yeast, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil to a food processor. Pulse repeatedly in 1 second bursts until the mixture has a fine, crumbly texture, somewhat similar to grated parmesan (do not continuously blend, or you’ll end up with cashew butter).
  • Meanwhile, make the Caper Gremolata. Finely chop the parsley and basil together. Using a microplane, grate the garlic directly over the parsley and basil (or mince the garlic with a knife). Add the capers on top, and chop everything together until well combined. Sprinkle with a bit of flaky or coarse sea salt.
  • Remove the casserole pan from the oven. Using oven mitts, arrange an oven rack for the broiler (but don't position it too close to the flame) and set your broiler to a low heat.
  • Sprinkle a generous layer of Cashew Parmesan on top of the baked dish and put it under the broiler for a couple minutes until the topping is nicely browned, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
    NOTE: For reference, my maximum broiler temperature is 550°F/288°C, so I set it to 500F/260°C and broiled for about 60 to 90 seconds, then reduced the heat to 475°F/245°C and broiled for another 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes, then evenly sprinkle the top with the Caper Gremolata. Finish the casserole with a few drizzles of extra virgin olive oil and a light sprinkle of flaky or coarse sea salt.

Notes

* See the “Frequently Asked Questions” section for bread recommendations 
** If fresh thyme isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme or omit. 
*** You can also use smaller white beans, such as navy beans or Great Northern beans. 
****You’ll likely use about ½ to ⅔ of this Cashew Parm. See the “Tips” section on storing and using leftovers. 

Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 514mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1115IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 5mg

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140 comments on Tomato and White Bean Casserole

  1. Jake

    5 stars
    Made this did pretty much like the recipe and tasted excellent. The shallot and tomatoes really did go very well the capers. Cashew parm also impressed me

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Jake, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!

  2. Aaron Kavalsky

    5 stars
    Super impressed with this. Made for my family for Friday night meal and it was a hit. So much flavour!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Aaron. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  3. Amy

    5 stars
    Super tasty! I used a sourdough bread. It works even if you don’t have fresh herbs on hand.

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for sharing, Amy! So happy to hear you love the casserole!

  4. Ivana

    5 stars
    Yum!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Ivana!

  5. Katja

    5 stars
    This was delicious and easy.
    Because I am really lazy, I used store-bought pesto and parmesan.
    I also added brokkoli to the mix.
    We will make it again 😊

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for sharing, Katja!

  6. Mackenzie

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! So full of flavor! I used a fresh loaf sourdough bread and it worked great!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Mackenzie!

  7. Ashlee

    5 stars
    I don’t even know why I made this; I didn’t think I liked tomatoes. But it looked so pretty and spring-timey and something sophisticated adults would enjoy (I was cooking for a Palm Sunday meal) so I made it. Lo and behold, it was incredible. I shouldn’t be surprised because literally EVERYTHING I make from this blog is 5 stars, but I was, because again– I don’t even like tomatoes! The flavors just work perfectly together. Everything tastes fresh and bright and delicious. The cashew parm is delectable, I could literally eat it by the spoonful. The caper gremolata added pizzazz (I didn’t even know what capers were before this dish) and the finished product was so pretty!

    The dish doesn’t hold together like a traditional casserole, the ingredients are loosely mixed together in the dish and don’t congeal while baking (which should be expected when you see the ingredients list and as Nisha pointed out it’s not supposed to stick together) so it’s kinda almost like a tomato and bean casserole salad if that makes sense. Regardless, this doesn’t detract from the dish or the flavors in any way. A home run dish you can’t go wrong with!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      So great to hear you loved the recipe, Ashlee! :) Thank you for your wonderful review!

  8. Amanda

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner for the first time last night and I was so impressed ! I’ve never eaten capers before and wasn’t really sure what to expect so I was a little bit nervous about the caper gremolata but it is revolutionary! This dish is fresh and decadent at the same time I will definitely be making it again. I can’t wait to bring it to a summer gathering to share it with my friends and family!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Amanda. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

  9. Judy Bourne

    5 stars
    Delicious! I think next time I may reserve some of the bean liquid. It was a little dry but definitely will make again. Thanks Nisha!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      So glad you enjoyed the casserole, Judy! Sorry to hear it was a bit dry for you.

  10. Rachel M

    Can you use gluten free bread?

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      That should work, Rachel! Enjoy!

  11. Lilly S

    5 stars
    Ok, yet another sensational dish from this blog. WOW. Every time I make one of your recipes my partner is like “I don’t understand how this is so delicious”

    Thank you thank you!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Lilly!

  12. Amy

    5 stars
    Loved this dish! I made a half batch in my deep 7×11 pan. I didn’t have all of the gremolata ingredients on hand so improvised using fresh cilantro and also chopped green olives instead of capers, which worked out nicely. I think chilled leftovers would be a great salad topper. Thanks for the recipe Nisha!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for sharing, Amy!

  13. Kim

    Nisha – for someone who cannot have salt, can you think of a recommendation for a caper substitution? Thank you

    1. Molly

      She had a different gremolata that was on a soup I think, and it had lemon zest, and no capers that I remember

  14. Donna

    Loved loved these flavours…casserole did not “hold together” well…..was loose …more like a salad…..I used WW ready made croutons…..could that have been the reason?

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Donna, this casserole isn’t really meant to hold together very well. It’s meant to have a combination of textures and flavors all in one casserole pan!

  15. Tina

    5 stars
    This is a phenomenal meal! It was easy, came together quickly and the flavor was amazing. In fact, it just got better in the refrigerator and reheated. I halved the recipe and this is a great way to use up tomatoes and bread that are fast approaching their prime. I highly recommend making this. It’s now one of my favorites.

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Tina!

  16. Donna

    Can I prepare this in advance and bake later?

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Donna, you can make the gremolata and parmesan the day before as well as the bean/tomato mixture. We recommend baking the bread the day of so it doesn’t get soggy, then adding it together with the other ingredients into the oven. Enjoy!

  17. Emily Taylor

    5 stars
    This was a good fall recipe for me to use tomatoes from the garden and accompany a butternut squash soup! So delicious!!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Gorgeous, Emily! So glad you enjoyed it!

  18. Jenny Peruski

    5 stars
    This recipe really surprised me–I tried it on a whim, and was a little bit uncertain about it when it was coming together, but it turned out amazing! The flavors all came together really well, and the cashew parm was revelatory. And it gets better upon reheating because everything starts to really meld. Will definitely be making this again!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the lovely feedback, Jenny!

  19. Lea

    5 stars
    I added some cremini mushrooms and vegan cheese melt to it. It also tastes great without the Grémolata (I added a litte lemon juice for a nice tang)
    I used different tomatoes which worked quiet well and added different flavours to it.

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Love the idea of using different types of tomatoes, Lea! Thanks for the great review!

  20. Hayley

    5 stars
    Loved loved this one! Made a lot and it was still delicious as leftovers, yum!

    1. Support @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Great to hear that, Hayley! Thanks for trying the recipe!

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