Our Favorite Cannellini Beans Recipes

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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.

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: My husband enjoys my version of this soup so much that he stopped ordering it at restaurants. He’d rather savor the version we can have at home. It’s so easy to make, yet hearty enough to be a full dinner. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: 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

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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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

From the Recipe Creator: 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