The Best Bean and Legume Recipes

1. Tuscan Stewed Beans

These Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all'Uccelletto) are so delicious and comforting. We use canned cannellini beans for this recipe. I first ate this dish in Tuscany when I was 17, and I have been making it on repeat ever since.

Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all'Ucelletto)

These Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all'Uccelletto) are the epitome of rustic Italian comfort food. Made with plant-based ingredients, this is a hearty, flavoursome stew. For convenience, we have used canned cannellini beans which we simmer with extra virgin olive oil, tomato passata, garlic, sage leaves and some dried chilli flakes for a touch of spice. Enjoy it on its own with crusty bread or serve as a side dish. 

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2. Black Bean Dip

This recipe comes together so quickly; you simple add your canned beans and flavourings to a small food processor and blend. Simple and so delicious.

Black Bean Dip

Easy dips such as my Black Bean Dip are fantastic to have in your repertoire. They are ideal when you're short of time as they take just minutes to prepare and contain store cupboard staples you most likely have on hand. They're perfect for last-minute entertaining, or a healthy, easy snack for the family.

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3. Mediterranean Chickpea Soup

One of my favourite go-to soup recipes, this is comforting and flavoursome. I often make a big batch for my lunches. It is one of the recipes I love to make the most using canned chickpeas.

Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Soup

This Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Soup is hearty, nourishing, and so easy to make. It is a recipe that you will frequently turn to because it contains simple ingredients you may already have on hand. With protein-rich chickpeas, and nutritious vegetables, it is a delicious, satisfying meal, as well as being budget friendly. This is comfort food for the whole family; just add some crusty bread, and you have a satisfying meal!

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4. Butter Bean Stew

This stew is a great dinner option for when you're after a meat-free meal. It features delicious Mediterranean flavours and is so hearty. An ideal one-pot meal with some crusty bread served alongside.

Butter Bean Stew

This easily made Butter Bean Stew is a great meat-free meal that is perfect for busy nights. It is a one-pot complete meal that you can have on the table in 30 minutes. The Butter Beans are the main protein component of the stew, simmered in a flavoursome tomato sauce with the addition of baby spinach and roasted capsicum/peppers. Satisfying and nutritious, this is pure comfort food.

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5. Cannellini Bean Dip

This is probably my favourite dip recipe of all time! Inspired by my travels to Umbria, Italy, this dip is delicious served with crudités or can be enjoyed on Crostini with shavings of Parmesan cheese.

Cannellini Bean Dip

This simple appetiser, inspired by a visit to Italy, is quickly and easily prepared.

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6. Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

This recipe came about when I was looking for ways to use up leftover Marmalade Glazed Ham. It is hearty enough to be served for dinner and is packed full of delicious flavours.

Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

If you crave a comforting, hearty meal, a bowl of my warming Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup will be perfect. This is an easily made soup that is hearty and nourishing, filled with vegetables, cannellini beans and diced ham. This is a delicious one pot meal that is worthy of a regular place in your meal plans.

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7. Mediterranean Tuna and White Bean Dip

Combining two of my favourite pantry staples, this is another dip recipe that takes just minutes to prepare. I also love to serve this in lettuce cups; it makes for a delicious lunch when you are short on time.

Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip

Entertaining is made easy with this delicious Tuna and Cannellini Bean Dip! Using pantry staples of canned tuna and white beans, this dip comes together in minutes with some delicious fresh ingredients added into the mix!

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8. Charred Corn and White Bean Salad

This is one of my go-to salad recipes, especially when corn is in season. However, even when it isn't, you can substitute frozen corn, and it will still char up nicely! This is a great salad to serve at your next barbecue or pot luck.

Charred Corn Salad

This Charred Corn Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish. With the slightly smoky flavour of the sauteed corn, the crunch of celery, the mellow cannellini beans, and the nutty, creaminess of the avocado, it is full of flavour and texture. The acidic note of lemon juice in the dressing balances all the flavours. You will find many occasions to enjoy the salad, either as a side dish for meat, fish or poultry or as a nutritious, meat-free meal.

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9. Marinated White Beans

This is a dish that is quick to prepare, but truly packs a huge flavour punch. Let's just say, it is bold in flavour. If you like Mediterranean flavours like garlic, anchovies and olives, you will love this recipe.

Marinated White Beans

These Marinated White Beans are a quick, easy and flavour-filled dish that you will want to make on regular rotation. For speed and convenience, we use one of my store cupboard essentials, canned cannellini beans. We marinate the beans in a garlicky, extra virgin olive oil dressing with fresh lemon juice, dried chilli flakes, Kalamata olives, fresh basil and Italian parsley. The humble canned beans are transformed by the Mediterranean flavours in the marinade. The result is simple, fresh and delicious!

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10. Mediterranean Bean Salad

This is a recipe you can truly make your own. We use three different types of canned beans, but you can use any combination you wish. I like to make this up at the start of the week for work lunches and snacks. It is delicious served with some Homemade Pita Chips.

Mediterranean Bean Salad

I am certain that you will love this flavour-filled, vibrantly coloured, Mediterranean Bean Salad. It contains three kinds of beans along with rocket/arugula, a variety of herbs, roasted red pepper, olives and feta. We combine the salad ingredients in a garlic infused extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice dressing. It is bright, fresh and I am sure that it will be a great addition to your meal plans.

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11. Red Kidney Bean Dip

This is such a beautiful dip, both in colour and taste. It is faster to make this dip than it is to take a trip to the store to buy one!

Red Kidney Bean Dip

Easy dips like my Red Kidney Bean Dip are fantastic recipes to have in your repertoire. Not only do they take just minutes to prepare, they're delicious. This dip is full of flavour and so satisfying.

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12. Lentil and Vegetable Stew

A delicious one-pot dinner option for when you are craving a comforting, hearty meat-free meal. We use dried brown lentils for this recipe and they are accompanied with a selection of Mediterranean flavours.

Lentil and Vegetable Stew

This full of flavour Lentil and Vegetable Stew is hearty and nutritious and a recipe that you will frequently turn to. With protein-rich dried brown lentils, traditional Italian herbs, and a generous quantity of mixed vegetables, it is a deeply satisfying meal made in one pot. With the warm flavours of the Mediterranean, this is a complete meal that needs nothing more than some crusty bread to accompany it.

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13. Butter Bean Mash

This recipe is a great alternative to a classic mashed potato and is much quicker to prepare. It is the perfect dish to grilled or roasted meats and hearty meat stews.

Butter Bean Mash

This quickly and easily made Butter Bean Mash is a perfect side dish to meat, poultry or fish. The creamy, mild butter beans readily absorb the accompanying flavours of aromatic rosemary, garlic and freshly grated parmesan cheese. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice balances and enhances the flavours. You will be delighted that such an easy dish is so flavoursome, as well as being nourishing, satisfying and able to be prepared in minutes.

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14. Chicken and White Bean Soup

This is one of my all time favourite soup recipes. You can cook the chicken in the broth as per the recipe, or used leftover cooked chicken, such as roast chicken. Use any vegetables you like and have on hand.

Italian-Style Chicken and White Bean Soup

This Italian-Style Chicken and White Bean Soup is warming and satisfying. A flavour-filled broth contains shredded chicken breast, aromatic herbs and nourishing vegetables along with the additional protein of cannellini beans. To add a creaminess to the soup (without adding cream) we puree one of the cans of beans. It is cosy, comforting and certain to become a family favourite.

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15. Butter Bean Dip

Much like my Cannellini Bean Dip, this white bean dip is delicious served on your favourite crackers or toast. I like to top mine with some ground dried cayenne pepper for a little heat.

Butter Bean Dip

This smooth and creamy Butter Bean Dip takes just minutes to prepare. It makes for a great healthy snack, fast appetiser or condiment alongside your main meal. Adapt the flavours of this easy recipe to your own liking for a tasty savoury treat!

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16. Mediterranean Sausage Casserole

Full of vegetables, beans and your favourite sausages, this is pure family friendly comfort food that is simple enough to be a weeknight meal.

Mediterranean Sausage Casserole

This Easy Mediterranean Sausage Casserole is certain to become a favourite. With vegetables and beans included in this family-friendly, one-pot meal, you require little more than some crusty bread to serve with it. This is a go-to hearty meal, which is comforting and full of Mediterranean flavours.

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17. Italian Lentil Soup

This is a very special recipe - one that my Dad used to make when I was growing up. It is still a favourite today, and I hope it will become one of yours also.

Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie)

This Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie) is hearty, nourishing, and easy to make. It is a recipe that you will frequently turn to because it contains simple ingredients that you may already have on hand. With protein-rich lentils, traditional Italian herbs and vegetables, it is hearty and comforting, as well as being budget-friendly. Just add some crusty bread, and you have a satisfying meal!

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18. Mediterranean Lentil Salad

Fresh, light and delicious, this salad is hearty enough to be served as a main meal, but is also a delicious side dish served alongside grilled chicken, lamb chops or steak.

Mediterranean Lentil Salad

I am certain that you will love the vibrant colours, refreshing flavours and contrasting textures in my Mediterranean Lentil Salad. We have a base of cooked brown lentils to which we add vegetables, feta, vibrant fresh herbs and a bright lemon dressing. It is flexible; you can vary the lentils or customise the salad with herbs or vegetables of your choice. It is a satisfying salad that is an ideal side dish to a light main course or perfect to enjoy as a light meal. You will be delighted to discover how easy it is to prepare.

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19. Chickpea and Vegetable Stew

A medley of vegetables and canned chickpeas form a tasty meat-free meal that won't have you spending hours in the kitchen.

Chickpea and Vegetable Stew

This Chickpea and Zucchini Stew is an easily made meat-free meal that is ideal for busy nights. It is a one-pot, complete meal that you can have on the table in 45 minutes. The chickpeas are the main protein component of the stew, simmered in a full-of-flavour tomato sauce with the addition of zucchini (courgette), baby spinach and roasted red capsicum/peppers. Satisfying and nutritious, this is comfort food for the whole family.

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20. Butter Bean Salad

This colourful salad requires little more effort than chopping some vegetables and combining with a simple dressing. We love to enjoy this alongside our Marinated Lamb Backstrap.

Butter Bean Salad

This Butter Bean Salad is full of vibrant flavour and colour. It is simple enough to play a supporting role as a side dish, but so flavoursome and nutritious that it can also stand alone as a light, meat-free meal. The creamy butter beans are perfectly complemented by crunchy, colourful vegetables and you will find it a breeze to put together; just combine the ingredients and toss them together in a simple vinaigrette. It's as easy as that.

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21. Mediterranean Baked Beans

Many of us grew up eating baked beans, and this is my homemade Mediterranean version. I hope you will love this recipe as much as we do!

Mediterranean Baked Beans

Full of flavour and vibrant colour, these Mediterranean Baked Beans are a very satisfying meat-free meal or side dish. For convenience, we have used canned beans, making them perfect for busy nights. The beans are baked in the oven until succulent and creamy, with olive oil, tomatoes, Mediterranean herbs, and spices.

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22. Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup

I really enjoy using red lentils in soup. They cook quickly and have a softer texture, which can be really appetising in a hearty soup recipe. This is a recipe that has even been enjoyed by people who didn't think they liked lentils!

Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup

This Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup is hearty, nourishing, and perfect for those days when you need a satisfying meal and time is short - don't we all have those days?! With protein-rich lentils, a variety of vegetables, and flavours of the Mediterranean, it is a comforting meal for lunch or dinner, as well as being budget friendly. Just add some crusty bread, and you will have a satisfying meal!

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23. Mediterranean Chickpea Patties

Although I will be the first to admit that I am not the best when it comes to meal prep, this is one of my weekly "must make" recipes. The patties are delicious hot or cold, great on their own with a side salad or served in a burger bun or lettuce wrap.

Mediterranean Chickpea Patties

These easy Mediterranean Chickpea Patties are certain to become a regular addition to your meat-free meal plans. The patties are seasoned with ground cumin, cayenne pepper and parsley and are tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. As well, they are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan, making them suitable for many people with specific dietary requirements.

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24. Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup

Comforting and simple to prepare, this is a delicious soup recipe that truly smells as good as it tastes. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of oil and some of your favourite crusty bread.

Mediterranean Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup

My Mediterranean Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup is as nourishing as it is comforting and satisfying. It is an Italian-inspired one pot dish, one that is worthy of a regular place in your meal plans. Packed with vegetables and beans cooked in a full of flavour broth, it is a complete meal that requires no more than some crusty bread to accompany it.

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For more delicious inspiration, you may like to check out our collection of Main Courses or Side Dishes.

This collection of The Best Bean and Legume Recipes has so many delicious options for you to try. I hope you will find many recipes to add to your collection!

Let me know what your favourite ways to use beans and legumes are in the comments below!

Alex xx