White Bean Casserole with Crunchy Onion Topping
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 8 to 10 side dish servings, or 4 main-course servings
 
Ingredients
Crunchy Onion Topping:
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium-large onion, finely diced
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Casserole:
  • 1 tablespoon butter, plus more to grease the dish
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 slices turkey bacon, finely diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 2 large stalks celery, diced
  • ½ medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon dried crushed oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1½ tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (16 oz) can no-salt-added cannellini beans or other white beans
Instructions
  1. For the topping, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onion and cook until softened but not browned, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme, salt, black pepper, and garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until light golden brown, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and stir in the parsley; set aside for now.
  2. For the casserole, heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the turkey bacon and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn heat down to medium and add the onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper; cook until starting to soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute.
  3. Add the stock, tomato paste, and beans and bring to a boil; turn heat down and simmer (uncovered) until the veggies are tender and the sauce is thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mash a few of the beans against the side of the pot.
  4. Preheat oven to 400F; grease an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with butter. Pour the bean mixture into the dish and top with the Crunchy Onion Topping; bake 10 minutes and serve hot.
Notes
To Reheat: Preheat oven to 350F; cover the dish with foil and bake until hot throughout, about 20 minutes.

Additional Serving Suggestion for the Crunchy Onion Topping: Use as a topping for any casserole, or sprinkle on top of salad or soup in place of croutons.
Recipe by An Edible Mosaic™ at https://www.anediblemosaic.com/white-bean-casserole-with-crunchy-onion-topping/