Boxcar Beans On Toast

A simple recipe full of flavor.   

beans and toast

Don’t let the name fool you, while beans on toast might not inspire a lot of excitement, the recipe if packed with great flavors. The roasted garlic, seasoned beans, tomatoes, along with fresh basil and onion make for a simple, flavorful, and fast weeknight dinner.  

Time You Need 

  • ~5 minutes prep 
  • 20-25 minutes Cooking  
  • Yields: 3-5 servings  

What You Need 

  • 1 can of cannellini beans or garbanzo beans, drained and dried  
  • ½ yellow onion, diced  
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes, drained or 8-10 fresh diced grape tomato  
  • ½ cup of chicken broth  
  • Black pepper, to taste 
  • Salt, to taste 
  • 1 tbsp butter  
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for toast)  
  • 6-8 cloves of garlic  
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste  
  • 3-4 leaves of freshly chopped basil  
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder  
  • 3-5 large slices of rustic bread 

What You Do  

  • Add garlic cloves to a small pan and place it on the top rack of the oven. Turn the broiler on high and broil garlic for about 8-10 minutes until it starts to brown.  
  • During that time, heat one tbsp of olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Then add diced onion. Cook for about five minutes.  
  • Then add in the beans, diced tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir ingredients together and bring to a slight boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.  
  • Cook for about 10 minutes, covered.  
  • Once the garlic is done, remove from the oven and let cool. Then place a tbsp of butter, a tbsp olive oil, and roasted garlic in a food processor.  
  • Remove the lid from the pot of beans and co, and mix in garlic butter.  
  • Then, take a fork and begin to lightly mash beans, leaving some whole. The goal is to create a semi-sauce, paste-like mixture. If the mixture is still too dry, stir in a splash of broth and let simmer for about 2-3 more minutes before removing from heat.  
  • Take a small amount of olive oil and brush the slices of bread. Season with a dash of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and chopped basil.  
  • Toast the bread until golden brown. Then top with the bean mixture. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.  
  • Enjoy!