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DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Have you heard of comfortcore? Comfortcore started as a design trend but has since expanded to all aspects of living. In essence, “comfortcore food” is all about simple and delicious recipes that make us feel warm and cozy, and evoke pleasure and comfort. Think dishes like mac and cheese, chili, and baked potatoes.
I know what you’re thinking. Don’t we already have another term for recipes like this? Yes, it’s hard to say what differentiates comfortcore from comfort food, but leave it to social media to rebrand something that’s been around since the dawn of time.
While we’re on the topic, I thought I’d share my go-to lazy meal that screams of comfortcore. I like to throw it together on weeknights when I crave something quick, comforting, and filling. The recipe is packed with protein, takes 20 minutes to come together, and is as satisfying as any cheesy, tomato-y pasta bake.
The Best-Ever Bean Recipe
This dish goes by several names. I’ve seen it called Pizza Beans, Cheesy White Beans, and Skillet Beans, but I like to call it the Best-Ever Bean Recipe. I first saw the dish in the New York Times, and while I don’t make it too differently than that recipe, the beauty of this dish is that you can switch things up endlessly.
Whatever it’s called, it’s delicious, comforting, satisfying, makes the house smell amazing, and the reason my pantry is always stocked with cans of white beans. Whether it’s cannellini, navy beans, or butter beans, whatever you have in the pantry will work. And the best part? It only has five ingredients—all of which I almost always have on hand.
You can eat this as is, in a bowl with a spoon. Or you can toast up slices of crusty bread and spread the cheesy beans on the slices. This crostini recipe would be perfect, but plain toasted bread would also work in a pinch. Store-bought bruschetta (the type you’d find in the cracker aisle) or even garlic bagel chips would be great vehicles for scooping it up, too.
Since this recipe starts on the stove and finishes in the oven, you’ll also need an oven-proof skillet, such as a cast iron skillet or an all stainless steel skillet.
How to Make the Best-Ever Bean Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 ounce) can of white beans, drained
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- Boiling water
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
What to Do If You Don't Have an Oven-Proof Skillet
The good news is that you technically don't need an oven-proof pan for this recipe. While you won't get the delicious browned cheese bits, you can still enjoy gooey, melty cheese. Simply pop a lid over the pan after you've scattered cheese over the beans and let heat through.
How to Adapt This Recipe
There are endless ways to jazz up this recipe. Have some spinach or other greens that are starting to wilt? Just toss them into this before adding the cheese. I once did that and the result was delicious. Other variations I’ve seen in similar recipes include:
- Adding red pepper flakes or chili crisp for some heat
- Using garbanzo beans
- Adding pepperoni or mushrooms
- Adding canned artichokes
- Adding jarred roasted red peppers
- Grating some Parmesan cheese on top of the mozzarella
I like to keep things pretty simple, but maybe when the seasons change, I'll find other ways to adapt this recipe to suit my mood and cravings.
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