Fagioli al Forno Sammarinese
A baked bean dish from San Marino, distinct from its Italian counterparts, featuring tender white beans slow-cooked with pancetta, herbs, and a touch of tomato. It's a savory and satisfying side dish or a light main course.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Dried cannellini beans
- 100 g Pancetta(diced)
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 500 ml Vegetable broth
- 4 large Fresh sage leaves
- 1 Fresh rosemary sprig
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the dried cannellini beans and soak them in plenty of cold water overnight, or use a quick soak method (boil for 2 minutes, then let sit covered for 1 hour). Drain and rinse.
💡 Tip: Soaking helps beans cook more evenly and reduces cooking time. - 2
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
- 3
In an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, sauté the diced pancetta over medium heat until it begins to render its fat and crisp up slightly.
- 4
Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, until it darkens slightly.
- 6
Add the drained beans, vegetable broth, sage leaves, and rosemary sprig to the pot. Stir to combine. Season lightly with salt and pepper (pancetta is already salty).
💡 Tip: You can tie the herbs together with kitchen twine for easy removal later. - 7
Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot tightly and transfer it to the preheated oven.
💡 Tip: Ensure the liquid covers the beans; add more broth or water if needed. - 8
Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Remove the herb sprigs.
💡 Tip: Check beans for tenderness; cooking time can vary. - 9
Remove the lid for the last 15 minutes of baking to allow the top to slightly brown and thicken.
- 10
Drizzle with olive oil before serving. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
💡 Tip: Serve warm as a side dish or with crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If you don't have pancetta, good quality unsmoked bacon can be substituted.
- ✓For a vegetarian version, omit pancetta and sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.
- ✓The beans should be tender but not mushy.
🔄 Variations
- Add a bay leaf along with the other herbs.
- Stir in a spoonful of tomato sauce for a richer flavor.
- Serve over toasted bread (bruschetta style).