White bean bruschetta (cannellini bean bruschetta) is a really simple Italian bruschetta recipe that takes only minutes to make and is perfect any time of year. The cannellini beans are lightly warmed with olive oil, a sprig of rosemary and garlic then placed on top of garlic-rubbed toasted Italian bread. The end result is pure deliciousness. This Italian white bean appetizer is great for entertaining but also delicious as a quick meal.
A Simple Tuscan Bruschetta!
Bruschetta (pronounced- brusketa), is a really versatile Italian dish that involves toasting up slices of good Italian bread until the bread is nice and crispy. For this white bean bruschetta, garlic is rubbed over the top of the hot bread releasing all of the delicious garlic flavor from the garlic clove.
This Italian white bean appetizer is one I first tried on a recent trip to Florence, Italy. Although the people of the Umbria region of Italy are known as the bean eaters of Italy, Tuscany sits right next door and lots of the bean dishes can be found there.
If you have tried my baked cannellini beans or my fagioli all'Uccelletto, then you know we love cannellini beans and all bean dishes! Unlike those recipes that use dried beans that are cooked in the oven, this white bean bruschetta recipe uses canned beans for a quick meal.
Ingredients For Cannellini Bruschetta
This cannellini bean bruschetta is a really simple Italian recipe which is why I love it so much. You only need a few ingredients to make these:
- Canned cannellini beans. These are also called white kidney beans. Make sure to rinse the brine by rinsing the beans in cold running water before heating. You can also use dried cannellini beans that you cook yourself.
- Extra virgin olive oil. You will add some to the beans and some will be drizzled over the bread.
- Good sliced Italian bread. I like to use a rustic Italian boule (round loaf) but you can use ciabatta bread or another Italian bread that is easy to slice. Make sure you use real Italian bread, not soft Italian bread that some stores sell.
- Sprig of fresh rosemary. This perfumes the cannellini beans while they warm in the olive oil. Feel free to use other fresh Italian herbs like fresh basil or thyme if you prefer their flavors more.
- Garlic Clove
- Kosher salt.
Recipe Tips
- If you cannot find cannellini beans at the store, great Northern beans make a great substitute for them. If that is not an option, any white bean will work.
- For the bruschetta bread, any good quality bakery Italian bread. I have written up an entire post on the best bread for bruschetta to give you some ideas! This will also explain what makes a good bruschetta and what Italian bruschetta is in more detail.
- If you prefer, you can give these white beans a light mash with a fork instead of leaving them whole when serving.
How To Make Cannellini Bean Bruschetta
- Heat the Cannellini beans and aromatics: The first step in making cannellini bean bruschetta is to rinse the cannellini beans then add them to a saucepan with, olive oil, salt, garlic, and rosemary on low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Make the bruschetta: Take your good quality Italian bread slices and place it on a sheet pan then drizzle them with olive oil. Place in the oven under the broiler and toast both sides until they brown (about 1 minute per side).
- Add the garlic: When the bread is done toasting, rub the garlic clove over the bread to release the garlic flavor onto the bruschetta. Sprinkle with a little salt.
- Serve: Scoop a heaping portion of the cannellini bean mixture on top of each piece of bruschetta and enjoy. The bruschetta can be served at room temperature.
Variations
The simplicity of this white bean bruschetta is one of the things that makes it so amazing; the taste is the other thing. If you want to add more to this white bean bruschetta recipe, you certainly can.
- You can add fresh tomatoes for a tomato bruschetta, other fresh herbs, and some crisped-up pancetta if you want to add some meaty flavor.
- Sometimes we swap out this version of beans for some sauteed Swiss chard and white beans.
- You can also make a quick lemon garlic shrimp which pairs so well with the beans and bread. Make this your own!
- Try the white beans on top of some Tuscan focaccia!
Recipe Faqs
Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans are one of a few varieties of white beans.
If you cannot find cannellini beans in the store, butter beans or navy beans make great substitutes.
There are so many great types of bread for bruschetta including Italian boule, baguette, and even sliced sourdough bread.
If you have leftover cannellini bean bruschetta, place the cannellini beans in a container with a lid and store them in the fridge for up to one week. Wrap the bread on a plate separately and store it on the counter for up to 2 days.
More Bruschetta Recipes
Pairing ideas
Here are some of our favorite things to serve with this white bean bruschetta:
Italian White Bean Bruschetta (Easy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Cannellini Beans
- 30 ounces Canned cannellini beans rinsed well.
- 4 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Bruschetta
- 1 clove of garlic
- 6 large slices of Good Italian bread Like boule or ciabatta
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- olive oil for drizzling over the bread
Instructions
Cannellini Beans
- Add the rinsed cannellini beans, olive oil, salt, garlic and rosemary to a small sauce pan and heat on low heat for about 5 minutes or until warmed though.30 ounces Canned cannellini beans, 4 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, 1 sprig fresh rosemary, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Bruschetta
- Take your good quality Italian bread and drizzle it with olive oil. Place under the broiler and toast both sides until they brown (about 1 minute per side).6 large slices of Good Italian bread, olive oil
- When the bread is done toasting, rub the garlic clove over the bread to release the garlic flavor on to the bruschetta. Sprinkle with a little salt.1 clove of garlic, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
To Serve
- Scoop a heaping portion of the beans on top of each piece of bruschetta and enjoy.
Tina says
This was so absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Thank you for sharing this!
kisitalian says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Erik says
This was great. I added lemon thyme when warming and placed an anchovy on top to serve. Highly recommend the anchovy.
kisitalian says
Those additions sound wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂