Name: Toaster-Oven White Bean Gratin with Rosemary and Parmesan
Total time: 30 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped fine; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary or ¼ teaspoon dried; 2 (15-ounce) can white or cannellini beans, rinsed, divided; ½ cup chicken broth; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)

Why This Recipe Works

To make this more practical as a side dish for four, and much faster, we aimed to bake the beans in our toaster oven and use convenient, time-saving canned beans. It took several failed attempts before we found the solution: Mashing some of the beans before adding them to the dish gave the finished product the creamy, saucy texture of long-simmered beans in just 10 minutes. Broiling the beans in chicken broth allowed them to absorb the rich, savory flavor. We limited the supporting ingredients to the classics: onion, garlic, rosemary, and Parmesan for a straightforward and savory side.

Before You Begin

You will need an 8-inch square broiler-safe baking dish or pan for this recipe. This recipe can be easily doubled using a 13 by 9-inch broiler-safe baking pan.

Instructions

Microwave onion, oil, garlic, and rosemary in medium bowl, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.

Adjust toaster oven rack to middle position, select broiler function, and heat broiler. Add ⅔ cup beans to bowl with onion mixture and mash with potato masher until smooth. Stir in broth and remaining whole beans until combined. Transfer mixture to 8-inch square broiler-safe baking dish or pan and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan. Broil until mixture is bubbling around edges and cheese is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer dish to wire rack and let cool slightly before serving.