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    Home » Vegetables & Salads

    Published: May 15, 2022 by Harriet · 1 Comment

    Italian Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

    Jump to recipe card

    Italian green beans in tomato sauce is a quick and easy side dish that is budget-friendly. You can use fresh or frozen green beans to make this easy side dish.

    A white bowl filled with Italian green beans in tomato sauce.
    Use fresh or frozen beans to make this green beans in tomato sauce recipe.
    Jump to:
    • Cost To Make
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe:
    • Ingredients In This Recipe
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Variations
    • Calories Per Serve
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Reheating
    • More Veggie Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Italian green beans in tomato sauce is a quick and easy side dish with a delicious thick tomato sauce. Make it with fresh or frozen beans.

    Cost To Make

    Estimated cost = $3.05 or $0.34 a serve

    Why You'll Love This Recipe:

    • This simple side dish of green beans smothered in a thick, rich tomato and garlic sauce goes very well with grilled or pan-fried meats.
    • You can make this recipe any time of the year using either fresh or frozen beans and canned tomatoes.
    • It is a healthy, family-friendly recipe that is full of flavor.
    • And it is vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
    • These Italian style green beans can be eaten hot, warm, or cold, like our Greek green beans and potatoes in tomato sauce.

    Ingredients In This Recipe

    The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

    Image of ingredients needed to make beans in tomato sauce.

    Green beans - You can use either fresh or frozen green beans for this recipe. 

    For fresh green beans, string the beans, trim the ends and wash them before using. Leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces.

    You don't need to trim the ends of frozen green beans because they come trimmed, use either whole or cut pieces.

    Olive oil - Use extra virgin olive oil and if you don't have olive oil, use another light flavored oil like vegetable oil.

    Onion - use a brown onion for this recipe rather than red onion because red onion will make the dish sweet.

    Garlic - you can use two cloves of garlic or ½ - 1 teaspoon garlic paste.

    Paprika, chili flakes/red pepper flakes, and bay leaf - give additional flavor to the dish. If you don't like chili leave them out.

    Canned tomatoes - we like to use canned tomatoes because they are already cooked and full of flavor.

    Diced tomatoes are best for this recipe, but if all you can get are whole canned tomatoes, break them up with a fork before using them.

    Sugar (optional) - a pinch of sugar (⅛ teaspoon) will bring out the flavor of the tomatoes.

    Fresh parsley will give a nice light earthy flavor to the green beans.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Cooked green beans in a sieve over a pot.
    1. Cook and drain the green beans.

    Step 1 - If using fresh beans, trim and sting them, leave them whole, or cut them into bite-sized pieces. 

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat, place the fresh (or frozen) beans into the boiling water and cook until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain well and put aside for later. 

    Fried onion and garlic in a black frying pan.
    2. Fry the onion and garlic.

    Step 2 - Dice the onions. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the onions and cook until soft and slightly brown, this will take about 5 minutes. Add diced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

    Spices being added to fried onions in a black frying pan.
    3. Add the bay leaf, chili flakes and paprika powder.

    Step 3 - Add paprika, chili flakes, and bay leaf and cook for 1 minute more.

    Tomatoes being added to a fried onion mixture.
    4. Add the diced tomatoes to the cooked onion mixture.

    Step 4 - Pour the diced tomatoes and sugar into the skillet, and simmer uncovered over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced. Stir the mixture occasionally to stop it from sticking to the pan.

    Tomatoes and onions cooked down to a thick paste lie sauce.
    5. Cook the tomatoes and onions until the liquid reduces and it becomes a thick rich paste.

    Step 5 - Season the tomato sauce with salt.

    Cooked green beans being added to a tomato sauce in a frying pan.
    6. Add the green beans to the reduced tomato mixture.

    Step 6 - Add the cooked beans and chopped parsley to the tomato mixture, stir to evenly coat the beans in the sauce over low/medium heat for about 1-2 minutes or until the beans are heated.

    Green beans being stirred into a thick tomato sauce.
    7. Season to taste with salt and mix well.

    Step 7 - Remove from the heat, taste for seasoning again, and adjust if necessary. Serve hot or room temperature garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

    Recipe Tips

    Don't overcook the beans because they will be mushy and lose their bright green color. Cook them so that they are still slightly firm and tender to the bite.

    Stop the cooking process - once you have cooked the beans to your liking, drain them and rinse them under cold tap water to stop the cooking process and drain well.

    Variations

    • Sprinkle with crispy bacon bits.
    • Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
    • Cook with chunks of pepperoni for a spicy taste.
    • Use fresh basil leaves instead of parsley or use both.
    A frying pan filled with cooked green beans in tomato sauce with a serving spoon.

    Calories Per Serve

    This recipe serves six as a side dish and is about 67 calories per serve.

    Serving Suggestions

    These green beans in tomato sauce can be served on any occasion, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, casual family gathers at BBQs or picnics.

    It works well as a side to grilled, BBQ meats, roast chicken, casseroles, pasta dishes, and stews.

    Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    This dish does not freeze well.

    Reheating

    Green beans in tomato sauce can be gently reheated in a pot on the stove, add a splash of water if the mixture looks a little dry. It can also reheat in the microwave oven.

    More Veggie Recipes

    • Cauliflower potato mash
    • Creamed corn fritters
    • Achar
    • Roasted tomato and red pepper soup
    • Greek roasted veggies
    A white plate with green beans on it.

    I do hope that you try this Italian green beans in tomato sauce recipe. If you do, please come back and leave a comment below because I would love to know how you went.


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    Recipe

    Green beans in tomato sauce on a small plate.

    Italian Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

    Italian green beans in tomato sauce is a quick, easy, and healthy recipe to make. It goes so well with grilled, and pan-fried meats and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
    Prep Time : 15 mins
    Cook Time : 30 mins
    Total Time : 45 mins
    Cuisine: : Mediterranean
    Course : Sides
    Servings : 6
    Calories : 67 : kcal
    Estimated Cost (AUD) : $3.05 or $0.34 a serve
    Author : Harriet

    INGREDIENTS

    • 500 grams (1.1 pounds) green beans fresh or frozen
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 100 grams (3.52 ounces / 1 medium) onion finely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
    • 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes optional
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 400 gram (14 ounces) can diced tomatoes
    • ⅛ teaspoon sugar optional
    • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
    • salt to taste

    Garnish

    • chopped parsley
    Tap button to prevent your screen from going dark while cooking.

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • If using fresh beans, trim and sting them, leave them whole, or cut them into bite-sized pieces. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat, place the fresh (or frozen) beans into the boiling water and cook until just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain well and put aside for later. 
    • Dice the onions. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the onions and cook until soft and slightly brown, this will take about 5 minutes. Add diced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
    •  Add paprika, chili flakes, and bay leaf and cook for 1 minute more.
    • Pour the diced tomatoes and sugar into the skillet, and simmer uncovered over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced. Stir the mixture occasionally to stop it from sticking to the pan.
    • Season the tomato sauce with salt.
    • Add the cooked beans and chopped parsley to the tomato mixture, stir to evenly coat the beans in the sauce over low/medium heat for about 1-2 minutes or until the beans are heated.
    •  Remove from the heat, taste for seasoning again, and adjust if necessary. Serve hot or room temperature garnished with freshly chopped parsley.

    Notes

    TIPS FOR SUCCESS
    Don't overcook the beans because they will be mushy and lose their bright green color. Cook them so that they are still slightly firm and tender to the bite.
    Stop the cooking process - once you have cooked the beans to your liking, drain them and rinse them under cold tap water to stop the cooking process and drain well.
    VARIATIONS
    • Sprinkle with crispy bacon bits.
    • Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
    • Cook with chunks of pepperoni for a spicy taste.
    • Use fresh basil leaves instead of parsley or use both.
    Nutrition Facts
    Italian Green Beans In Tomato Sauce
    Serving Size
     
    1 serving
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    67
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    3
    g
    5
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Sodium
     
    103
    mg
    4
    %
    Potassium
     
    333
    mg
    10
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    11
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    13
    %
    Sugar
     
    5
    g
    6
    %
    Protein
     
    2
    g
    4
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    829
    IU
    17
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    21
    mg
    25
    %
    Calcium
     
    59
    mg
    6
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Nutrition Disclosure

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    1. Carla says

      May 22, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      Will be making this green beans in tomato sauce recipe tonight!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Harriet! The face and photographer behind Recipe Pocket. I am a mother of two who is a cook by day and blogger by night.

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