Recipes

Cheesy Vegan Pizza Beans

Savory, saucy, and CHEESY white beans that taste like pizza! An easy, comforting, plant-based entrée with just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required!

Source: Minimalist Baker

image for Cheesy Vegan Pizza Beans
  • Serves 4
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 min
cold-weathercomfort-fooditalian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 Tbsp tapioca starch
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp dried Italian herbs*
  • 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 15 oz. cans of white beans

Directions

  1. CHEESE SAUCE: Add cashews to a heatproof bowl and cover with hot water by at least 1-2 inches. Let them soak while you get started on the beans.
  2. BEANS: Heat a large stainless steel or enameled cast iron skillet (or other oven-safe skillet) over medium-low heat. Once hot, add olive oil and garlic and sauté until fragrant — about 1 minute. Add red pepper flakes (optional) and stir to infuse flavor. Turn down heat if cooking too quickly.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup (60 ml) water, Italian herbs, maple syrup (optional), and salt. Stir to combine, then add the white beans and mix to evenly distribute. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and let cook for 15-20 minutes until the beans are tender and the sauce is bubbly.
  4. CHEESE SAUCE: While the beans simmer, make your cheese sauce. Drain the cashews and add them to a high-speed blender along with 2/3 cup (160 ml) water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, and salt. Blend on high until very smooth and milky in texture, about 1 minute. Set aside.
  5. Once the beans are tender, reduce the heat to low and carefully pour the cheese sauce over the beans in an even layer. Cover and steam for 2-3 minutes to encourage the cheese to firm up, then transfer to the oven to broil (optional) for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is darkened in spots and dry to the touch. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil.
  6. Serve warm with vegan garlic bread, sautéed greens, roasted vegetables, or alongside a salad. Leftovers keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 1 month in the freezer.
  7. Reheat leftovers in oven or microwave until warmed through.

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