Italian Green Beans
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
323 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Italian Green Beans
Description
In this Italian-inspired dish, olive oil gently sautés chopped onion, celery stalks (with leaves if available), and optionally dry-cured Italian sausage until the onion browns lightly. Tomato purée is added and cooked briefly. Water and salt are then introduced, bringing the mixture to a boil and brief simmer. Fresh or frozen green beans are added and cooked until almost tender, then cooked borlotti beans or other pre-cooked beans are stirred in to add texture and fullness.
The resulting dish balances sautéed vegetables, savory tomato flavor, tender green beans, and creamy beans with the optional salty, cured sausage enhancing the aroma and taste. It is a comforting side or vegetable course often paired with crusty Italian bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
Dry beans cooked and frozen at home are recommended for freshness and economy, but canned pre-cooked beans can be used. Borlotti beans are preferred but kidney or cannellini beans are acceptable substitutes. Celery and its leaves are removed before serving if desired.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 talks celery preferably with leaves, cut in half or thirds
- ¾ cup tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1 lb green beans French or Romano, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup beans fresh, shelled, or a can of beans, like Borlotti
- ⅛ tsp salt to taste
- ⅛ tsp black pepper to taste
- 1 link Italian sausage optional, dry-cured
Instructions
- Place olive oil in a large heavy pot on medium high heat, then add the chopped onion and celery pieces (and dried sausage, if using.) Sauté until the onions just begin to brown
- Add tomato purée, and stir. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Next, add about 1 cup (8 oz) water, and about ¾ teaspoon of Kosher or sea salt. Bring to a boil, simmer for a few minutes.
- Now add the fresh or frozen beans. Simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes or until beans are almost cooked, then mix in the Borlotti or other pre-cooked, shelled beans.
- Cook until green beans are ready, taste for salt and pepper, adding if necessary. Remove the pot from the heat and take out the celery and leaves, if desired. Serve with crusty Italian bread, eating it with the italian green beans.
Notes
- Cooking and freezing dry beans at home is cost-effective and preferable for freshness, but canned beans are suitable for convenience.
- Borlotti beans are preferred but kidney or cannellini beans can substitute.
- Remove celery stalks and leaves before serving if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 323 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 bowl | |
| Calories | 323kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 316mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 820mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1124IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 93mg | 9% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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