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–+ servings
white beans and greens on toast topped with parmesan

Beans and Greens on Toast

This amazingly fast and simple recipe has become one of my absolute favorites as of late. Fast enough to make for a WFH lunch and delicious enough to eat for dinner, Beans and Greens on Toast is my new go-to cheap and healthy meal.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine Fusion
Servings 2
Calories 145 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices Sourdough or bread of choice
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 teaspoon Butter
  • ¼ C White Wine
  • 5-8 cloves Garlic sliced
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • 1 can Cannelini Beans drained. See notes.
  • 2-3 handfuls Arugula or greens of choice
  • Kosher Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Parmesan or Pecorino optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Heat your oil and butter in a pan over medium heat. I suggest rubbing the bread around in it on both sides to ensure a nice coating. Then, just let the bread get nice and toasty! Allow it to sit, relatively undisturbed, for about 2-3 minutes per side depending on how hot your stove gets.
  • Once the bread is toasted to your definition of perfection, remove it from the pan. Tip the white wine in, scraping up any bits of toasty fond that might be left over. Once it comes to a simmer, throw in your garlic and red pepper flakes to infuse the liquid, cooking for about a minute.
  • Toss in the drained can of beans and give the mix a good stir. Allow to cook until the beans are heated through, about 2 minutes.
  • Grab a few handfuls of greens and add them to the pan with a 3-5 finger pinch of salt. I like knowing that I ate roughly a salad's worth per serving, so I use about ½ of a clamshell. Cook until the greens are just wilted but still nice and bright. Switch off the heat and season with any salt and pepper as needed.
  • Lay your toast down on a plate or pasta bowl. Scoop roughly half of the mix over the bread, being sure to get some of the yummy liquid. Grate a bit of parmesan over the top and dig in! Bonus points if you treat yourself to a tasty beverage and turn off the screen while you enjoy. 

Notes

  • Want some extra garlic punch? Rub a raw clove of garlic on the toast after it's done. It'll sort of shred into the toast and give you a bit of a bruschetta vibe!
  • This is supposed to be a fast lunch, so don't bother busting out the colander for your beans. Simply open the can most of the way, and use the lid to hold the beans in place while you drain out the liquid.
What are the best beans for this recipe?
If you're looking for the speediest meal, there is no arguing that canned (or jarred) beans are infinitely more convenient than dry. That said, if you're one of those meal prepping types, feel free make a batch of dried beans at the beginning of the week, and this recipe will come together in a snap when you need it. 
In terms of what variety of bean to reach for, basically any will do. I happen to love the creaminess of cannellini beans, but any white, pinto or kidney bean will do. You can also reach for garbanzos or lentils if you want to switch it up! (GROCERY HINT: Trader Joe's sells pre-cooked black lentils that are super delicious in the refrigerator section.)
Seriously, just have fun with this recipe template and let your pantry guide you.
What are the best greens for this mixture?
If speed is high on your list of priorities, look for tender greens. Baby spinach, arugula or mixed greens are all going to take zero prep (just grab by the handful and toss in!), and will wilt quite quickly.
If you're a fan of a bit of bitterness, reach for chicories. Escarole, radicchio and even frisée could work!
Finally, heartier greens like kale, collards and chard are delicious, but require a bit of prep to remove the woody stems. Consider using frozen options to cut back on your prep time, or do the work ahead of time on your meal prep day.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 73mgPotassium: 156mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1045IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cheap, Comforting, Easy, Fast, Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!