Description
Butter Beans and Halloumi Bake
Looking for a delicious vegetarian dinner that’s easy and comforting? This Butter Beans and Halloumi Bake is perfect for you! Halloumi, a firm and mild cheese from Cyprus, gets golden and chewy when baked, pairing wonderfully with a rich, Mediterranean-inspired tomato sauce. Serve this dish with crusty bread to scoop up the flavorful sauce, or enjoy it with a fresh green salad. It’s a simple, hearty one-pot meal that will leave everyone satisfied!
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
2 x 400g (14 oz) tins plum tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 x 400g (14 oz) tins butter beans
1 cup vegetable stock
225g (½ lb) halloumi, sliced
Fresh parsley, to garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. In an oven-proof pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry onion for 1-2 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Stir in paprika, oregano, and thyme. Add tomatoes, butter beans, and half of the vegetable stock. Season.
4. Place halloumi slices on top and transfer the pan to the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Kcal: 490 per serving
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Chop the onion, mince the garlic, drain and rinse the butter beans, and slice the halloumi into ½-inch thick pieces.
2. Build the Sauce Base: In a large, oven-proof skillet or casserole dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add Spices & Tomatoes: Stir in the smoked paprika, oregano, and thyme, cooking for 30 seconds to release their oils. Carefully add the tinned plum tomatoes, crushing them with your spoon. Add the drained butter beans, the bay leaf, and half of the vegetable stock. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Top & Bake: Arrange the halloumi slices evenly over the surface of the bean and tomato mixture. Carefully transfer the entire dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the halloumi is deeply golden and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
5. Finish & Serve: Remove from the oven, discard the bay leaf, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty bake is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with several sides. Serve it with warm, crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up the delicious sauce. For a lighter meal, a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette is perfect. It also works wonderfully as a filling, spooned over a bowl of couscous or polenta.
How-to Summary
Sauté onion and garlic, then stir in spices. Add tomatoes, beans, and stock to create a rich sauce. Top with sliced halloumi and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different bean? Absolutely. Cannellini beans or chickpeas make excellent substitutes for butter beans and hold their shape well during baking.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered pan on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes. Assemble the tomato and bean base (through step 3) and store it in the fridge. When ready to cook, reheat the base on the stove, top with halloumi, and bake as directed.
Is halloumi cheese vegetarian? Traditionally, halloumi is made with animal rennet. Always check the packaging, as many brands now produce vegetarian halloumi using microbial rennet.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it? If your sauce is runny after baking, place the skillet back on the stove and simmer for 5-10 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid using a pan that is not oven-proof. Do not skip rinsing the butter beans, as the liquid from the tin can make the sauce starchy. Ensure your halloumi slices are thick enough (at least ½ inch) so they don’t dry out or burn. Finally, do not overcook the garlic in the first step, as it can turn bitter.
Conclusion
This Butter Beans and Halloumi Bake is the ultimate fuss-free, flavorful vegetarian dinner. It combines creamy beans, a rich, smoky tomato sauce, and perfectly golden, salty halloumi into a comforting one-dish wonder. Simple to prepare yet impressive in taste, it’s a reliable recipe that is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. Enjoy the delicious, satisfying results!