Tuscan White Beans in Tomato Sauce

White beans in tomato sauce simmer together to create a lovely side dish for barbecued meat, sausages, or cheese. It also makes a great main course on meatless Mondays. This dish can be served immediately, but it is even more delicious the next day after the flavors meld.

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Additional Time: 8 hrs

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups dry cannellini beans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 sprig fresh sage
• 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Place beans in a large pot. Cover with water and stir in baking soda. Soak at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours.

Drain and rinse beans; return to the pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender yet firm to the bite, about 25 minutes. Drain beans, reserving water. Set beans and cooking water aside.

Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic and sage in hot oil until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add beans; cook and stir until beans absorb the aroma of garlic and sage.

Pour in tomato sauce; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are soft but not mushy, 10 to 15 minutes. Add reserved cooking water to keep sauce from burning if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Tips

You can use any bean in this recipe, such as cranberry beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans.