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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Recipes

    Sep 10, 2014 · Modified: Jun 24, 2022 by Becca Heyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

    Cheesy pesto white bean mash

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    Total time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 3
    5 from 1 vote
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    Cheesy pesto white bean mash - a protein-rich alternative to mashed potato that tastes incredible!

    I am a potato fiend. Whatever form they're in (mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, boiled, baked, fried...), they're undoubtedly my favourite part of a meal. I'll quite happily eat them cold too, so don't you go thinking those leftover roasties are safe...

    Buuut, although potatoes are far from nutritionless (they contain plenty of vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B6, for example), they're not really the best thing to fill your plate with day after day. So in an effort to inject a bit more goodness into my favourite mash, I decided to make it with white beans instead.

    Cheesy pesto white bean mash - a protein-rich alternative to mashed potato that tastes incredible!

    I never intended for this white bean mash to imitate mashed potatoes at all (it was meant to be merely an alternative, not an impersonator), but actually it was a really good likeness! I left my beans a bit chunky for texture - there are even a few whole beans in there still - but I reckon if your puréed the mixture to be quite smooth, this white bean mash would be a really good imitation of mashed potato, especially once you've added the other ingredients! It definitely curbed all of my potato cravings.

    Cheesy pesto white bean mash - a protein-rich alternative to mashed potato that tastes incredible!

    Beans don't have a huge amount of flavour on their own (like potatoes, I guess), but just one spoonful of pesto and a handful of parmesan completely transformed this white bean mash into something seriously special - I couldn't get enough of it! And it was really good to know that rather than just eating a big heap of carbs, I was getting some protein in me as well. As a vegetarian, it's always handy to find new ways of getting protein that don't just involve eating 'fake meat' every day (which I actually do really like, but it's nice to have a bit of variation!).

    Cheesy pesto white bean mash - a protein-rich alternative to mashed potato that tastes incredible!

    By the way - I know I've posted three super cheesy recipes in a row. I'm kind of ashamed (but not really, because I love cheese). I'd just like to point out that three of the four recipes that came before were totally vegan, so please don't judge me (apart from maybe for my blog organisational skills, or lack thereof)!

    Cheesy pesto white bean mash - a protein-rich alternative to mashed potato that tastes incredible!

    Cheesy pesto white bean mash

    If you've cooked this recipe, don't forget to leave a star rating!

    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 3
    Calories:
    Author: Becca Heyes

    Ingredients

    • 2 x 400g tin white cannellini beans 240g each when drained, drained
    • 100 ml vegetable stock
    • 75 g vegetarian parmesan-style cheese finely grated
    • 1 tablespoon basil pesto
    • Black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil optional

    Instructions

    • Add the drained beans to a saucepan with the vegetable stock, and place over a medium-low heat. Simmer gently for around 5-10 minutes, until the beans are hot and very soft. Mash with a potato masher (I left mine a little chunky for texture, but you can make them completely smooth if you prefer).
    • Remove from the heat, and add the parmesan and pesto, along with plenty of black pepper (you probably won't need any salt unless you used low-sodium stock). Mix until well combined.
    • Serve immediately drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil, if desired - or, keep in the fridge to reheat in the microwave later.

    Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @EasyCheesyVeg or tag #EasyCheesyVegetarian!
    Cheesy pesto white bean mash - a protein-rich alternative to mashed potato that tastes incredible!

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    Comments

    1. [email protected] says

      September 12, 2014 at 12:42 pm

      I so love my pulses and your mash makes such a welcome change from potato mash. Adding cheese and pesto can only go on to make this irresistible!

      Reply
    2. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      September 11, 2014 at 3:42 pm

      Girl I share your love for potatoes! This looks so delicious, and what a great idea! I sometimes make mashed cauliflower - and it's certainly not a replacement for mashed potatoes, too. I will try this white bean mash next time!

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        September 11, 2014 at 4:08 pm

        Ooh do it! I was actually really disappointed when I made cauliflower mash, but this white bean version definitely hit the spot! :)

        Reply
    3. Katie Bryson says

      September 11, 2014 at 11:14 am

      Trying to pack protein into my vegetarian husband's diet is my biggest challenge. I thank the supermarkets daily for the never ending supplies of Quorn products, so it's good to find your bean-tastic recipes here for some inspiration away from the pre-packaged convenience food i'm becoming far too reliant on. I'm going to have a go a both of your recipes.

      Reply
    4. Jeanne Horak-Druiff says

      September 11, 2014 at 9:26 am

      Clever! I love making mashed potato alternatives - I often serve Moroccan-spiced roast lamb on chickpea "mash". Definitely going to try this!

      Reply
    5. Stuart Vettese says

      September 10, 2014 at 9:41 pm

      I could eat this any day of the week. I love the butteryness of the beans and with parmesan, I'd be in heaven.

      Reply
    6. Jacqueline Meldrum says

      September 10, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      That looks delicious Becca. Love it. I'll let you know once I've tried it.

      Reply
    7. Luci {Luci's Morsels} says

      September 10, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      AAAHHHH! These look amazing. I'm a potato fiend too. I'm also big on beans for protein. I've had a similar mix of ingredients as a dip, but I love the idea of them as a side dish!

      Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.

      Reply
    8. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

      September 10, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      i want a bowl of this with pita bread...

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        September 10, 2014 at 6:45 pm

        Ohhh yeees that would be great! :)

        Reply
    9. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

      September 10, 2014 at 4:44 pm

      I think it looks quite tasty!! We like beans and are always trying to incorporate them in our diet. They are supposed to be good as far as heart and cholesterol. That is certainly a plus. Now -- since we like HOT we'd probably add chipotle to it.

      Reply
    10. ahu @ ahuats says

      September 10, 2014 at 3:39 pm

      This looks great! I actually thought it was more of a tapenade/spread at first but would be delicious either way! (I like to put anything I can on bread, it's a sickness!

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        September 10, 2014 at 3:49 pm

        Haha if you're a carbaholic I bet it would be great on bread ;) if you want to use it as more of a puree, just add a dash more stock to make it a little thinner :)

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Becca! I've been a vegetarian for 20+ years, and unlike most of my other childhood pursuits, I actually stuck with it! I love cooking vegetarian food that's full of flavour, but doesn't take a lot of effort to make.

    More about me →

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