Description
This Creamy Tomato White Bean Stew is a comforting, vegan-friendly dish featuring tender white beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and vibrant greens all simmered in a flavorful tomato-based broth enriched with vegan cream cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a nutritious and satisfying meal served over grains or enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 8 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups baby greens (baby arugula or spinach)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, sliced, to garnish
Pantry Items
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1¼ cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, or cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dairy Alternatives and Extras
- ¼ cup vegan cream cheese (or substitute with coconut cream or cashew cream)
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Tomatoes: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado or olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Then add the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
- Add Garlic, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Tomato Paste: Stir in the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook while stirring constantly for about one minute until fragrant and the tomato paste darkens in color.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk the arrowroot starch with a splash of vegetable broth until smooth, then combine this mixture with the remaining vegetable broth.
- Simmer with Beans and Broth: Pour the broth mixture into the saucepan and add the drained cannellini beans. Allow to simmer gently for 5 minutes, letting the stew thicken slightly and warming the beans through.
- Add Cream Cheese, Greens, and Lemon: Stir in the vegan cream cheese until melted into the stew. Add the baby greens and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Mix in the fresh lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil slices.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the creamy tomato white bean stew on its own or over rice, quinoa, or toasted bread for a hearty meal.
Notes
- You can replace vegan cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream for variation.
- Use gluten-free vegetable broth if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Feel free to swap baby arugula or spinach with other tender leafy greens you prefer.
- For a richer flavor, sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can be used instead of dry-packed tomatoes, adjusting oil accordingly.
- This stew keeps well for up to 3 days refrigerated and tastes great reheated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy tomato stew, white bean stew, vegan stew, tomato white bean recipe, quick vegan dinner
