There are dishes that embody all the simplicity and goodness of homemade cooking, and flat beans with tomato and potatoes in a pan is definitely one of them.
A genuine recipe, with an enveloping aroma and a flavor that brings back the memories of family Sundays, when time flew slowly, and the kitchen became the heart of the home 🩷
They are also known as flat beans, or “long and flat beans“, very tender and sweet to the palate. Paired with potatoes and tomato sauce, they become a rich and nutritious side dish that can easily transform into a vegetarian main course.
How to cook flat beans with potatoes and tomato sauce?
To prepare flat beans with potatoes and tomato sauce in a pan, clean and cut the flat beans into pieces, add diced potatoes, and cook them in the tomato sauce. You’ll get a genuine, simple, and tasty side dish.
A preparation as simple as it is satisfying, similar in spirit to other proposals that I have enjoyed sharing with you over the years. From the delicious and irresistible eggplants in tomato sauce, to the scenic Hasselback potatoes, passing through equally rustic and comforting recipes like chard and potatoes in a pan.
And still, when the kitchen meets lightness and creativity, I can’t help but think of the air fryer gratin pumpkin, or fresh and colorful dishes like the potato salad with asparagus and the chickpea and bean salad, perfect for those looking for quick and nutritious ideas.
But now, let’s get back to our recipe! Can you smell the irresistible aroma of the sauce simmering slowly? Then come with me to the kitchen as we prepare flat beans with sauce and potatoes!
But first, I’ll leave you with some of my special collections to whet your appetite! 🩷
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 people
- Cooking methods: Boiling, Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons, Summer
Ingredients
- 1.32 lbs flat beans (or flat long beans)
- 3 potatoes (medium)
- 14 oz tomato puree
- A few tbsps extra virgin olive oil (more precisely one per person)
- garlic (a couple of cloves or onion)
- salt
- A few leaves basil (fresh)
Tools
- Saucepan
- Pan
- Peeler
- Strainer
- Ladle
Steps
✨ Before moving on to the recipe, I invite you to read the article to the end: you will find many useful tips for making this dish at its best. I have collected the most common questions about preparation, with practical advice on storage and success of the recipe. A section dedicated to variants for personalizing it, ideas for transforming it into a complete meal (in vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous versions), and even the best wine pairings to bring to the table 🍷🥔🍅
I’m sure they will be invaluable in making this recipe even more special🩷
This recipe can be made in two ways: direct cooking in the pan or pre-cooking in boiling water. I’ll describe both variants, so you can choose based on the time available and your preference.
Wash the flat beans under running water, remove the ends and side threads, then cut them into pieces of about 2 inches.
Peel the potatoes, rinse them well under water, and cut them into wedges of equal size, neither too large nor too small.
Heat plenty of water in a saucepan, and once it comes to a boil, add the flat beans and let them blanch for 5 minutes. Then add the potatoes and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
After the time has elapsed, both the potatoes and flat beans will still be al dente. Drain and rinse the beans under cold water (this helps keep them green). Let everything drain in the strainer.
Pour four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and two cloves of garlic into a large pan. If you like, you can also add half a finely chopped onion.
Brown them and then pour in the tomato puree, mix and let it season over low heat for a few minutes.
At this point, add the well-drained flat beans and potatoes and continue cooking covered with a lid, for about 10 minutes.
If necessary, during cooking, add a little water only if you see that the sauce dries out too much.
In total, with this cooking method, the dish will be ready in about 25-30 minutes.
When the potatoes have almost fallen apart (that’s how I like them!) and the flat beans are very tender, the dish is ready to be served.
Exactly as indicated above, wash the flat beans and cut them as you prefer.
Peel the potatoes, rinse them, and cut them into wedges of equal size (not too small because in this case, cooking will take about 30-35 minutes).
In a large pan, heat the oil with the garlic, and if you like, also the finely chopped onion.
Pour the tomato puree, adjust with salt (and pepper if you like), and let it season for a few minutes.
Add raw flat beans and potatoes directly, mix well, cover with a lid, and let cook over medium-low heat for about 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If the sauce reduces too much, add a ladle of hot water as needed.
At the end of cooking, season your dish as you prefer (basil or fresh parsley) and serve hot with slices of fresh or toasted bread.
✨ If you liked this recipe, let me know by leaving a comment below 💬 I love reading your impressions and advice! 🩷
📌 Share it with friends and family, you’ll bring a genuine and tasty dish to the table 🥔🍅🥗
👉 Don’t forget to visit me again on Mela Cannella e Fantasia, new simple, fragrant, and heartfelt recipes await you every week 💛Article protected by copyright © – Gabriella Geroni © All Rights Reserved
👩🍳🥣🌿🍃👇DID YOU KNOW…?
🌱 Nutritional properties of flat beans:
Flat beans (also known as flat or long beans) are light vegetables valuable for health.
They have very few calories: about 30 kcal per 100 g, perfect for those following a balanced diet.
Rich in fiber: they aid digestion and provide a sense of fullness.
Source of vitamins: particularly vitamin C (antioxidant and immune system ally) and B vitamins (useful for metabolism).
Important minerals: iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which support circulation and daily energy.
Vegetable proteins: in small quantities, but useful for balancing the diet.
Zero fat and cholesterol: making them ideal even for those who need to watch their line or blood pressure.
👉 In cooking, they are considered a “false legume”: even though they belong to the Fabaceae family, they are consumed as vegetables because the immature pods are eaten.
👉 In cooking, they are considered a “false legume”: even though they belong to the Fabaceae family, they are consumed as vegetables because the immature pods are eaten.
👩🍳🥣🍃🥔🍅FLAT BEANS WITH TOMATO VARIANTS:
With pancetta or speck: for a more intense flavor, you can add some smoked pancetta cubes to the sauté.
With chili pepper: if you love spicier flavors, a pinch of chili will make the dish even tastier.
With other vegetables: you can enrich the preparation with diced carrots or zucchini, cooked together with potatoes and flat beans.
With other vegetables: you can enrich the preparation with diced carrots or zucchini, cooked together with potatoes and flat beans.
In its classic version, this dish can be considered inclusive 🩷🌿
✅ Lactose-free → contains no milk or derivatives, making it suitable for those who are intolerant or allergic.
✅ Gluten-free → contains no gluten-containing cereals, safe for those following a gluten-free diet or who are celiac.
✅ Vegetarian and vegan → contains no animal-derived ingredients, perfect for both dietary choices.
✨ It’s a dish that truly pleases everyone, precisely because of its simple and genuine nature.
In its classic version, this dish can be considered inclusive 🩷🌿
✅ Lactose-free → contains no milk or derivatives, making it suitable for those who are intolerant or allergic.
✅ Gluten-free → contains no gluten-containing cereals, safe for those following a gluten-free diet or who are celiac.
✅ Vegetarian and vegan → contains no animal-derived ingredients, perfect for both dietary choices.
✨ It’s a dish that truly pleases everyone, precisely because of its simple and genuine nature.
🍷 Wine Tips
To best accompany the flat beans with potatoes and tomato sauce, choose a wine that can enhance the freshness of the tomato and the delicacy of the vegetables without overpowering their flavors.
If you stick to the vegetarian or vegan version → opt for a fresh and mineral white such as Vermentino, Fiano, or a Pinot Grigio.
If you prefer a Mediterranean touch → a perfect elegant rosé, like a Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo or a Chiaretto del Garda.
If you enhance the dish in an omnivorous version → you can choose a young and light red, such as a Dolcetto d’Alba, a lively Barbera, or a dry Lambrusco, which also pairs well with cold cuts.
✨ In any case, it’s best to avoid wines that are too structured or tannic, as they would overshadow the delicacy of the vegetables and tomato.
🍴 How to Make This Dish a Complete Meal
🌱 Vegan version
Add legumes: chickpeas, cannellini beans, or lentils (even pre-cooked and drained) to be added to the pan with the vegetables in the last few minutes of cooking.
Complete with cereals: serve it with brown rice, spelt, or quinoa → you’ll get a balanced one-dish meal with carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, and fibers.
Extra flavor: a drizzle of raw evo oil and sesame or flax seeds.
🥚 Vegetarian version
Pair with eggs: perfect with boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs served alongside the vegetables.
Or light cheeses: such as feta, salted ricotta, or parmesan shavings.
Whole-grain bread: a crunchy slice completes the dish and makes it substantial.
🍗 Omnivorous version
White meat: grilled chicken or turkey strips, added to the pan in the last few minutes.
Fish: lightly seared fresh tuna, grilled salmon, or mackerel fillets → their flavor pairs well with tomato sauce.
Lean red meat: small sautéed beef pieces, for those who desire a richer meal.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What is the difference between regular beans and flat beans?
Flat beans (also known as flat long beans or flat beans) are the immature pods of the pea plant (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon), belonging to the Fabaceae family (Legumes).
Unlike regular beans, which come from the bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris), flat beans are actually a special type of edible-pod pea, characterized by wide, flat, and green pods, which are consumed whole without needing to shell the seeds.
They have a tender consistency and a sweet and delicate flavor. The seeds are small and underdeveloped due to the harvest that takes place before full maturation.How do you store them once cooked?
Flat beans with potatoes and sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. When reheating, you can add a drizzle of oil or a splash of water to keep the sauce soft.
It is a recipe that I do not recommend freezing, because the potatoes tend to change texture.What type of tomato is best to use?
Tomato puree is the ideal choice, but if you prefer a more rustic flavor, you can use crushed pelati. If you only have fresh tomatoes at home, that’s fine too.
Can I use frozen flat beans?
Yes, they are perfect. I recommend putting them directly in the pan without thawing them first.
Can I prepare the dish in advance?
Absolutely yes. In fact, the next day it will be even better because the flavors will have had time to blend. You can easily reheat it in the pan with a splash of hot water.
