Casseroled Beans & Penne

This hearty and flavorful Casseroled Beans & Penne recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines tender haricot beans, penne pasta, and an assortment of vegetables. The beans are soaked overnight and then cooked with vegetable stock, onions, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, wine, and tomato purée. This creates a rich and aromatic base for the casserole. The penne pasta is cooked separately and then combined with celery, mushrooms, and tomatoes before being added to the casserole dish. A sprinkle of muscovado sugar and dried breadcrumbs adds a touch of sweetness and crunch. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or for entertaining guests. The combination of flavors and textures will leave everyone satisfied and wanting more. Get ready to savor the deliciousness of this Casseroled Beans & Penne dish.

INGREDIENTS

• 225g/8oz dried haricot beans, soaked overnight, rinsed, and drained
• 900ml/11/2pt vegetable stock
• 100ml/31/2fl oz olive oil
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 75ml/3fl oz red wine
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• 225g/8oz dried penne
• 2 celery sticks, sliced
• 100g/4oz mushrooms, sliced
• 225g/8oz tomatoes, sliced
• 1 teaspoon muscovado sugar
• 4 tablespoons dried white breadcrumbs
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.
2. Put the soaked and drained haricot beans in a large heavy saucepan.
3. Add enough cold water to cover the beans.
4. Bring the beans to a boil and continue boiling vigorously for 20 minutes.
5. Drain the beans.
6. Transfer the beans to a large flameproof casserole dish.
7. Add the vegetable stock to the dish.
8. Stir in all but 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the sliced onions, chopped garlic, bay leaves, dried oregano, red wine, and tomato purée.
9. Bring the mixture to a boil.
10. Cover the casserole dish and cook in the preheated oven for 2 hours.
11. Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil.
12. Add the dried penne and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water.
13. Cook the penne for about 3 minutes, then drain.
14. Add the cooked penne, sliced celery, sliced mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes to the casserole dish.
15. Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
16. Stir in the muscovado sugar.
17. Sprinkle the dried white breadcrumbs over the top of the casserole.
18. Cover the dish and cook in the oven for a further 1 hour.
19. Serve the Casseroled Beans & Penne hot.

YIELD

This recipe serves 4 people.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed before serving.
• Garnish the dish with fresh herbs such as parsley or basil for added freshness and visual appeal.
• Serve the casserole as a standalone dish or pair it with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

TIPS

• If you’re short on time, you can use canned haricot beans instead of dried beans. Simply drain and rinse them before adding to the casserole dish.
• Customize the recipe by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini.
• For a cheesy twist, sprinkle grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese over the casserole before baking.
• Adjust the cooking time according to your preference for the texture of the beans. If you prefer softer beans, cook them for a longer time.

In conclusion, this Casseroled Beans & Penne recipe offers a comforting and satisfying dish that combines the heartiness of haricot beans, the delightful texture of penne pasta, and an assortment of vegetables. The beans are cooked to perfection with a flavorful blend of onions, garlic, herbs, wine, and tomato purée. The addition of celery, mushrooms, and tomatoes adds a burst of freshness and visual appeal to the casserole. A sprinkle of muscovado sugar and dried breadcrumbs provides a touch of sweetness and crunch.

This recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner or for entertaining guests. The flavors and textures come together harmoniously, creating a dish that will please everyone’s taste buds. The leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and meld together over time.

Serve this Casseroled Beans & Penne dish hot as a standalone meal or pair it with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete and satisfying experience. Get ready to savor the deliciousness of this flavorful and comforting dish.