Tuscan White Bean Pasta [With Blistered Cherry Tomatoes]

This 7-ingredient, 30-minute Tuscan white bean pasta with blistered cherry tomatoes and basil is a simple, fuss-free last-minute meal packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and bursting with flavor! A healthy, hearty, and customizable high-protein vegan pasta dish!

Blistered Tomato Pasta with White Beans and Basil

For those evenings where you want to get something on the table quickly with minimal fuss, this 30-minute Tuscan white bean and blistered tomato pasta is a must-try. It’s an inexpensive, simple, minimal recipe requiring just two pans and 7 ingredients, yet it is packed with a surprising amount of flavor (and nutrients)!

With a combination of hearty white beans, blistered cherry tomatoes, savory garlic, and fresh basil, this Tuscan white bean pasta has a wonderful sweet, tangy, savory, fresh flavor the entire family will love.

Even better, though juicy, bursty cherry tomatoes are a must during summer (and this is a go-to summer pasta dish!), they stay fairly juicy year-round, so you can enjoy this cherry tomato pasta any time!

This crowd-pleasing basil tomato pasta also makes for a filling and nutritious meal with plenty of fiber, plant-based protein, and antioxidants. There are also practically endless ways to customize this recipe.

Plus, you can enjoy the Italian pasta and beans warm and save the leftovers to enjoy as a blistered tomato and white bean pasta salad the entire family will love!

For more ways to enjoy beans, you might enjoy this vegetarian Instant Pot navy bean soup, mixed bean and vegetable stew, or butternut squash bean burritos.

The Ingredients

This vegan white bean pasta with tomato and basil requires just 7 base ingredients to make this flavorful, moreish meal.

• Pasta: I used a package of angel hair spaghetti, but this will work with any noodle or short-shaped pasta (i.e., linguine, fettuccine, bowtie, pappardelle, orecchiette, etc. Even orzo or gnocchi would work) of your choice, regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free.

You’ll also need to save a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water not only creates the base for the sauce in this dish but also helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

• Vegetable bouillon: You’ll need 1 bouillon cube or a teaspoon of bouillon powder.
• Oil: You can use any neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, olive oil, or avocado oil.

If possible, I recommend using olive oil when cooking tomatoes. The oil actually helps our bodies absorb the lycopene from the tomatoes better. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that benefits heart health, provides sun protection, and lowers the risk of several cancers.

• Aromatics: This simple cherry tomato pasta recipe relies on onion and garlic to add depth of flavor. Use onion and garlic powder in a pinch.
• Tomatoes: Use cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or baby plum tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes would work as a substitute.
• Beans: Any canned white beans will work. i.e., cannellini beans, Great Northern, white kidney beans, butter beans, chickpeas, etc. Use reduced-sodium if preferred.
• Basil: Use fresh basil to infuse the entire blistered tomato and white bean pasta dish with flavor, or add a spoonful of your favorite vegan basil pesto for more flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley would also work, or even some oregano or thyme.

You might also like to use some additional sea salt and black pepper to season the blistered tomato pasta to your liking.

I also love to garnish the pasta with shredded vegan cheese like vegan parmesan cheese, torn vegan mozzarella, or nutritional yeast (which adds a nutty, 'cheesy', umami-rich flavor).

Optional add-ins & Recipe Variations

Even as a budget-friendly, good-for-you pasta dish, there are still plenty of ways to customize this cherry tomato pasta with white beans to your liking!

• Vegan butter: A small amount added to the cherry tomato pasta will make a richer dish.
• Lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice (and, optionally, zest) will add brightness and depth to the Tuscan white bean pasta.
• Vegan cream cheese: To make a creamy, 'cheesy' sauce.
• Vegan cream: A splash of your favorite dairy-free cream (like the cream from full-fat coconut milk) will make for a super creamy cherry tomato pasta.
• Red pepper flakes: To garnish the basil tomato pasta and add heat.
• Pine nuts: Lightly toast the pine nuts in a pan, then use them to garnish the blistered cherry tomato pasta.
• Tofu: Like this air fryer tofu, to add more protein for a heartier meal.
• Vegetables: This Italian pasta and beans dish is simple enough that plenty of veggies will pair with the ingredients used, including:
  • Leeks (thinly sliced)
  • Cauliflower (small florets, pre-cooked)
  • Sweet corn (frozen, added in the last couple of minutes)
  • Peas (ditto the above)
  • Zucchini (thinly sliced)
  • Mushrooms (thinly sliced)
  • Kale or spinach
  • Olives (halved or sliced)
  • Asparagus (in 1-2 inch pieces)
  • Artichoke (pre-cooked and chopped)

When adding kale, you can boil it with the pasta for a few minutes. For spinach, stir it into the dish at the last minute and add a lid to allow it to naturally wilt into the pasta for a minute or two before serving.

How to Make Cherry Tomato and White Bean Pasta?

Follow just 4 simple steps to prepare this super simple and delicious Tuscan white bean pasta in just 30 minutes!

• 1) First, dice the onion, mince the garlic, chop (or ribbon) the basil, and rinse and halve the cherry tomatoes.

For larger bites of garlic, you can thinly slice it instead of mincing.

• 2) Then, in a large pot over medium-high heat, cook your pasta/noodles of choice according to their package instructions. Reserve one cup of the pasta water when you drain the pasta and stir in the bouillon cube (adjust the amount to taste)– then set aside.

• 3) Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion, garlic, and tomatoes. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until the veggies are tender, then add in the chopped basil.

For more blistered tomatoes, cook them in a skillet undisturbed (don’t overcrowd the pan or they’ll steam) for 2-3 minutes, then stir and repeat. Not stirring them often gives them a chance to blister and char.

• 4) Finally, stir in the pasta and pasta water-bouillon mixture, and serve warm in bowls optionally topped with some vegan parmesan cheese and black pepper. Enjoy!

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Save the starchy pasta water: The water you don’t use immediately for this sauce can be stored in the fridge (for 2 days) or the freezer to use in other sauces and stocks. If unsalted, you can also use it to water plants.
• Don’t overcook the pasta: I usually cook it for a minute less than the package instructions or until the center of the pasta has just a speck of white for perfectly al dente results.
• For a creamy sauce: You could blend some of the white beans with the seasoned pasta water to create a quick, creamy white bean pasta sauce.
• If the tomatoes are very acidic: Add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavor.
• For more of a tomato sauce: Use a handful of extra tomatoes, mashing about half down into a saucy consistency with the back of a wooden spoon or a potato masher.
• Be careful not to burn the garlic: Or it can add a bitter flavor to the entire basil tomato pasta dish.

How to Store and Reheat

Store: If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool, and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

Reheat: The pasta will further soften and soak up the sauce, so if you choose to reheat it (on the stovetop or in a microwave), I recommend adding an extra splash of pasta water or broth. However, you can also enjoy this as a tomato and white bean pasta salad.

What to Serve with Blistered Cherry Tomato Pasta?

Enjoy a portion alone if you want a light meal. However, it will also pair well with:

• Crusty bread or flatbread
• Garlic focaccia or garlic bread
• Steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli
• A simple side salad – like a kale salad or vegan Caesar salad

Then finish the meal with a delicious peach crisp or pineapple strawberry nice cream!

More Easy Vegan Meals

• Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
• Vegan Smashed Chickpea Salad [Sandwiches, Wraps, Dip]
• Avocado and Refried Bean Tostadas
• Vegetable Fajita Tacos
• Vegan Mandarin Chicken Ramen Noodle Salad
• Easy Vegan Greek Salad

If you try this Tuscan white bean and blistered cherry tomato pasta, I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I'd also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla