These Pizza Beans are the kind of dinner you’ll crave again and again—cozy, cheesy, and packed with protein. This skillet has all the comfort food flavors of pizza, but packs in extra protein, fiber, and nutrients. Plus, you can customize with any ground protein of your choice!
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Table of Contents
Why you’ll love it
- Quick and comforting: One-pan, on the table fast, and minimal cleanup—perfect for busy nights when you still want something hearty and flavorful.
- Protein-packed: All the nostalgic flavors of your favorite slice, but made with better-for-you ingredients like lean protein, beans, and veggies.
- Easy to customize: Swap in your favorite veggies, choose dairy or plant-based cheese, and use any ground protein you like.
What are pizza beans?
Pizza beans are a cozy pan filled with beans and veggies simmered in marinara sauce, topped with melty cheese, then baked until bubbly and caramelized. Think of it as part stew, part skillet bake, and 100% delicious comfort food.
Is this pizza beans recipe healthy?
As a registered dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to combine flavor with function—and this Pizza Beans recipe delivers just that with a perfect combo of nutrient-packed ingredients:
- Butter beans offer plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients helping keep you full and supporting digestion. Research links bean intake to lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
- Ground protein adds hearty flavor and a satisfying texture—whether you choose to go with lean turkey, chicken, beef, or a plant-based version–-your protein choice makes this skillet more filling and balanced
- Marinara and veggies bring a healthy dose of vitamins, antioxidants, and lycopene—a compound in tomatoes that helps protect cells, support healthy growth, and support immune function.
Altogether, this pizza beans skillet is a balanced, nutrient-packed meal that’s cozy, satisfying, and full of wholesome ingredients.
What ingredients do you need?
Here’s what goes into this saucy, cheesy, delicious skillet:
- Olive oil – Adds richness and helps build flavor at the base.
Yellow onion and garlic – Aromatics that give depth to the dish. - Fennel seeds – Optional but recommended for that signature sausage-y, pizza flavor.
- Ground protein – Choose from turkey, chicken, beef, or a plant-based ground alternative.
- Smoked paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes – Classic pizza spices for heat and warmth.
- Butter beans – Creamy and mild, they soak up all the sauce beautifully.
- Veggies of your choice – We love spinach, red bell pepper, or tomatoes, but feel free to mix it up with your favorites.
- Marinara sauce – Store-bought or homemade, whatever you love or have on hand.
- Shredded mozzarella + parmesan – Use regular or plant-based options for melty, cheesy goodness.
- Fresh basil or parsley – For garnish and a pop of freshness.
How do you make pizza beans?
This one-skillet recipe is as easy as it gets:
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and fennel seeds and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Brown the protein: Add your ground protein, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through.
- Spice it up: Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Adjust spices to taste.
- Simmer it: Add butter beans, your choice of veggies, and marinara. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to let all the flavors meld together.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for 2–3 minutes.
- Broil: Optional, but highly recommended! For golden-brown, bubbly finish, pop the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes on high–watch closely to avoid burning.
- Finish and serve: Top with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm, straight from the skillet!
Customize it your way
Like all of my recipes, this Pizza Beans dish is completely customizable. Choose what protein, veggies, and cheese you want to use.
- Protein of your choice: Ground turkey, chicken, or beef all work well here. You could also use a vegan option like a plant-based ground, cooked lentils, or crumbled tempeh.
- Cheese of your choice: Use regular mozzarella and parmesan or opt for plant-based versions if you prefer.
- Feel free to mix up the veggies: Spinach, red pepper, and tomato are listed, but mushrooms, zucchini, or kale would also be delicious.
- Sauce options: Classic marinara works great, but feel free to use arrabbiata for a spicy kick or roasted garlic sauce for extra depth.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Serving: Pizza Beans are great on their own, but we love serving them with crispy garlic bread!
- Troubleshooting: If you can’t find butter beans, you can also use cannellini beans. They just won’t be quite as large.
- Scaling: Feeding a large crowd? Double the recipe and use a large Dutch oven.
Meal prep and storage
Pizza Beans store beautifully for leftovers. You can keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat for about 1-2 minutes in the microwave before enjoying.
Need more help with recipes for your busy schedule?
In my coaching + cooking program, I help busy people with beginner cooking knowledge become confident in the kitchen so that they can enjoy nourishing foods they love and stress less about mealtime. Click here to learn more about this virtual program led by a dietitian.
Pizza Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 pound ground protein of your choice, (Beyond Ground, lean ground beef, italian ground sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, plant-based ground, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (or to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 (15-ounce) can butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups veggies of your choice, (spinach, red pepper, tomato)
- 1 – 16 ounce jar of marinara sauce (2 cups or up to 24oz for more sauce)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (or plant-based mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan (or plant-based parmesan)
- Fresh basil or chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and fennel seeds, cooking another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the Beyond Ground to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned. Season the mixture with smoked paprika, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the butter beans, veggies, and marinara sauce. Let everything simmer together for 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce is warmed through and slightly thickened. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top, then cover with a lid and let it melt for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, top with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve warm.
- Optional but recommended: Broil for 2-3 minutes on high to get cheese nice and golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
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