Our Favorite Cannellini Beans Recipes

White Turkey Chili

Here’s proof that chili doesn’t have to be red. I combined several recipes and changed flavors until the recipe was just right. Trust me, this one is a keeper. —Tina Barrett, Houston, Texas

White Bean Soup with Escarole

This escarole and bean soup has become a favorite because it uses kitchen staples, it’s packed with healthy ingredients and is a cinch to prepare. If I can’t find escarole, I sub fresh spinach at the very end of cooking. —Gina Samokar, North Haven, Connecticut

White Bean Fennel Soup

Even when the garden is snow-covered, its bounty crops up in the steaming bowls Donna Quinn passes around her Salem, Wisconsin table. “This filling soup is a favorite with our family and is often requested for company dinners,” she reports. A hint of fennel accents the flavor or this quick-to-fix bean soup…and spinach and tomatoes add color.

Kale & Bean Soup

Chock-full of veggies, this soup soothes both the body and the spirit. The kale is packed with nutrients, including omega-3s, and the beans add a natural creaminess. —Beth Sollars, Delray Beach, Florida

Meat Lover’s Pizza Rice Skillet

My son named this “pizza rice” after I threw together a quick dinner from what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza topping ingredients you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Mediterranean Tortellini Salad

One of my childhood friends moved to Italy 20 years ago. During a recent visit to see her, I enjoyed a scrumptious salad made with tortellini and fresh vegetables. I fell in love with the dish and have been trying to recreate ever since. How’d I do? —Kelly Mapes, Fort Collins, Colorado

Slow Cooker Lime Chicken Chili

Lime juice gives this chili a zesty twist, while canned tomatoes and beans make preparation a snap. Try serving bowls with toasted tortilla strips. —Diane Randazzo, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania

Pasta Fagioli al Forno

The name of this Italian-inspired dish means “baked pasta with beans.” But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.” —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

White Beans and Spinach

This skillet side is a variation of a recipe I received from my Italian mother. I’ve prepared spinach this way for years—because my children eat it happily! —Lucia Johnson, Massena, New York

White Chili with a Kick

Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also cook your own. We like it with sour cream, green onions, cheese or salsa on top. —Emmajean Anderson, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip

This is a spinoff of a Mexican dip I had once. The original was wicked good, but since I was going through an “I’m-so-over-Mexican-dip” phase, I decided to switch it up. Take it to a party—I’ll bet you no one else will bring anything like it! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Rigatoni Chard Toss

I had to get my firefighter husband to eat more fruits and veggies to lower his cholesterol and triglycerides. Fresh chard and tomatoes add a lot of fiber and vitamins to our diets, but we love this recipe for the flavor. While he would never admit to eating “health food” around the firehouse, this dish is one of many that made his trips to the doctor much more pleasant! —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California

Hearty Pasta Fajioli

Here’s an Italian favorite made easier by using prepared spaghetti sauce and canned broth for the flavorful base. —Cindy Garland, Limestone, Tennessee

Festive Bean Salad

I had experimented with all kinds of bean salads before I hit on this one. My husband loves all the different bean varieties, and corn adds to the color and texture.—Dale Benoit, Monson, Massachusetts

Tuscan Chicken and Beans

Rosemary and beans make a nice rustic Italian meal in this flavorful dish. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Tuscan Portobello Stew

This is a heart-healthy, one-skillet meal that is quick and easy to prepare, yet elegant enough for company. Vegetarian teachers and students alike appreciate this stew at school potlucks. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin

Italian Sausage Kale Soup

My mom dehydrates the last pick of tomatoes from her garden each fall—perfect for quick soups like this one. When I have time to prepare dried beans, I do—but don’t worry if you don’t. Canned beans are just as good. —Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois

Italian Shredded Pork Stew

Need a warm, soothing meal for a blustery night? Throw together this slow-cooked stew loaded with sweet potatoes and kale. And the shredded pork is oh-so-tender! —Robin Jungers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili

I love this recipe. Surprise ingredients like coffee and wine give it a rich, deep flavor that we balance by topping if off with avocado and green onion. Make a big batch and freeze any leftovers! —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada

Quick Italian Veggie Skillet

When you don’t know what to serve, Italian flavors are a good starting point. We combine cannellini and garbanzo beans for this snappy rice dish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Arborio Rice and White Bean Soup

Soup is the ultimate comfort food, and this hearty, satisfying soup with arborio rice is low in fat and comes together in less than 30 minutes. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Turkey Sausage Bean Soup

This recipe is from my great-grandmother, though I’ve added a few ingredients to make it my own. Serve it with a side salad and some artisan bread for a wonderful, hearty family dinner. —Terrel Porter-Smith, Los Osos, California

Basil White Bean Dip

We’re big fans of hummus, but my son is allergic. I came up with this bean dip, and it’s turned out to be a great alternative. —Erin Bosco, Carlton, Washington

Bloody Mary Soup with Beans

I love a good Bloody Mary, which inspired this recipe. The soup packs a spicy punch, and it’ll warm you right up on a chilly day. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Tuna with Tuscan White Bean Salad

Once the tuna hits the grill, do not move it around or it may tear the tuna. This recipe is for tuna that is still pink in the middle (medium rare). Increase the cooking time for tuna that is more cooked through. —Vance E. Werner Jr., Franklin, Wisconsin