Bean There, Devoured That: 10 Un-bean-lievable Main Dishes

Aug 21, 2024

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Browse 12 un-bean-lievable recipes that elevate the humble legume to star status on your dinner plate. Pair these dishes with crunchy toasted bread and a simple side salad for a meal that transcends the humble expectations usually set for beans. Savor bold flavors that challenge everything you thought beans could be and you might just find that dinner becomes a whole lot healthier—and way more exciting!

Rice and Beans
Spiced Red Lentil Dhal (Vegetarian)
Black Bean Buddha Bowl with Gingery Lemon Tahini Sauce
Chickpea Spinach Curry
Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet Meal (25 Minutes!)
Marinated Gigante Beans
Creamy White Beans with Spinach
Butter Bean Stew
Cozy White Bean Mushroom Stew (Vegan)
Tuscan Stewed Beans

Rice and Beans

A bowl of white rice topped with a creamy bean curry garnished with cilantro and sliced green chilies. A spoon is placed in the bowl. The dish is presented on a dark surface with loose cilantro leaves nearby. — Image Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

Savory Rice and Beans is a wonderfully quick and straightforward meal, ready in just 20 minutes. It’s hearty, filling, and vegetarian-friendly, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep. With around 10 ingredients or fewer—mostly pantry staples—this dish is not only easy to prepare but also kid-friendly. Its simplicity and speed make it an ideal choice for those evenings when you need a nutritious dinner without a lot of fuss.

Get This Recipe: Rice and Beans

Spiced Red Lentil Dhal (Vegetarian)

A spoonful of lentil curry garnished with fresh cilantro is held above a white bowl filled with more lentils. Two additional bowls of lentil curry are blurred in the background. The dish appears rich and flavorful with a vibrant reddish-brown color. — Image Credit: Kylee Cooks.

This Red Lentil Dhal is a rich and hearty dish that shines as a main course. Perfect for both advance meal prep and quick weeknight dinners, it offers a warming and delicious experience. While it’s a vegetarian recipe, its robust flavors and appealing presentation are sure to satisfy even the most dedicated meat-eaters in your home. The health benefits of red lentils, combined with the vibrant color and complex flavors, make this dhal a standout dish that’s as nutritious as it is tasty.

Get This Recipe: Spiced Red Lentil Dhal (Vegetarian)

Black Bean Buddha Bowl with Gingery Lemon Tahini Sauce

A vibrant meal bowl containing black beans, brown rice, greens, purple cabbage, and sliced avocado is being held by two hands. A creamy dressing is being poured on top. A small dish of shredded purple cabbage sits nearby on a white marble surface. — Image Credit: Minimalist Baker.

It’s not just you—there’s definitely a special kind of comfort that comes from a wholesome meal packed with beans, rice, greens, and a tasty sauce. Taking inspiration from a popular bowl at Prasad in Portland, we’ve crafted a delightful gluten-free and plant-based Black Bean Buddha Bowl. This simple, nourishing dish uses straightforward ingredients to create a meal that’s both satisfying and healthful, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a balanced, flavorful option.

Get This Recipe: Black Bean Buddha Bowl with Gingery Lemon Tahini Sauce

Chickpea Spinach Curry

A white bowl filled with a vibrant chickpea and spinach curry served over white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro. A halved lemon and sprigs of cilantro are placed next to the bowl on a light-colored surface. — Image Credit: Kylee Cooks.

Enjoy a comforting Chickpea Curry on cooler evenings—it’s a hit for the whole family! This dish is both vegetarian and vegan, focusing on rich curry flavors rather than intense heat. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s an ideal choice for a busy weeknight meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or wholesomeness.

Get This Recipe: Chickpea Spinach Curry

Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet Meal (25 Minutes!)

A skillet filled with creamy tomato spinach pasta topped with fresh basil leaves and grated cheese. A wooden spoon rests in the skillet. Surrounding the skillet are bread slices, a bowl of pepper, and various herbs and ingredients. — Image Credit: Minimalist Baker.

This Italian White Bean Skillet Meal is a dream for any weeknight: creamy, garlicky, and packed with nutrition. It combines white beans, burst cherry tomatoes, and fresh greens, all enveloped in a rich cashew cream sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes and using only 10 ingredients, this dish epitomizes cozy simplicity. Serve it with pasta or alongside toasted crusty bread for a truly satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.

Get This Recipe: Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet Meal (25 Minutes!)

Marinated Gigante Beans

A bowl of marinated butter beans mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, chopped herbs, and olive oil. A wooden spoon rests inside the bowl. A striped cloth napkin is partially visible on the side. The dish is on a light-colored marble surface. — Image Credit: Love & Lemons.

These Marinated Gigante Beans make for a versatile dish. Infused with olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon, garlic, and herbs, these beans offer numerous serving possibilities: enjoy them alone as a protein-rich vegetarian option, pair with crusty bread, toss over fresh salad greens, or mash lightly for a creamy sandwich filling. They’re also a perfect addition to an antipasto or mezze platter, enhancing any spread with their robust taste.

Get This Recipe: Marinated Gigante Beans

Creamy White Beans with Spinach

A white plate with a slice of toasted bread topped with a white bean, spinach, and herb mixture, garnished with grated cheese and two lemon wedges. A fork rests next to the plate, and another slice of toasted bread is partially visible on a burlap cloth. — Image Credit: Two Peas and Their Pod.

This Creamy White Beans with Spinach dish is a straightforward and comforting skillet meal that’s quick to prepare. It combines creamy white beans and tender spinach for a satisfying blend of flavors. Perfect when served with crusty bread, this meal offers a cozy and quick option for any day of the week.

Get This Recipe: Creamy White Beans with Spinach

Butter Bean Stew

A bowl of hearty bean stew, featuring white beans, spinach, and a rich tomato sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. Next to the bowl is a piece of crusty bread on a table, along with a rustic bronze spoon and sprigs of parsley. — Image Credit: It’s Not Complicated Recipes.

This Butter Bean Stew is an ideal choice for a quick, meat-free dinner, especially on busy evenings. It’s a wholesome, one-pot meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The stew centers around butter beans as the main protein source, gently simmered in a rich tomato sauce with additions of baby spinach and roasted bell peppers for depth and flavor. It’s both nutritious and comforting, epitomizing simple yet satisfying home cooking.

Get This Recipe: Butter Bean Stew

Cozy White Bean Mushroom Stew (Vegan)

A hearty bowl of creamy mushroom and potato soup filled with white beans and garnished with fresh parsley. Two pieces of toasted bread are placed on the side of the bowl. Surrounding the bowl are fresh mushrooms, parsley, and a bowl of ground pepper. — Image Credit: Minimalist Baker.

This 1-pot White Bean Mushroom Stew checks all the boxes for a perfect autumn meal: it’s cozy, hearty, comforting, and easy to prepare. Featuring savory mushrooms, tender potatoes, and fiber-rich white beans, all simmered in a creamy, dairy-free broth, this stew is not only satisfying but also nourishing for both body and soul.

Get This Recipe: Cozy White Bean Mushroom Stew (Vegan)

Tuscan Stewed Beans

A pot of baked beans in a tomato sauce with a wooden spoon resting on the side. Grilled bread slices and fresh sage leaves are placed around the pot. A folded light-colored cloth is seen in the background. There is also a bottle of oil on the side. — Image Credit: It’s Not Complicated Recipes.

These Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all’Uccelletto) are the essence of rustic Italian dining, making them perfect for a main dish that feels both European and suited for al fresco enjoyment. Prepared with simple, plant-based ingredients, this stew combines canned cannellini beans, extra virgin olive oil, tomato passata, garlic, sage leaves, and a hint of dried chili flakes for subtle spice.

Get This Recipe: Tuscan Stewed Beans