Lunch

A fresh and hearty twist on summer pasta salad, this version is inspired by the flavours of a classic BLT sandwich, with white kidney beans for extra protein, all tossed in a creamy, herb-packed dressing with a kick of jalapeño.

Here is a delicious recipe that is also nutritious, easy, and ready in minutes. It hosts lovely velvety cannellini beans cooked in a rich tomato sauce flavored by carrot, onion and herbs, with morsels of tasty guanciale. Added Gaeta olives take the umami of this dish to the next level. Wonderful as an appetizer, side dish, or a nice lunch on its own with some good bread.

These Crispy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas make the perfect weeknight meal. The slightly sweet flavour of the sweet potato pairs well with the savoury black beans and Tex-Mex spices, creating a delicious balance of sweet, spicy, and a little bit smoky. Topped with a gooey Mexican cheese blend, these quesadillas offer the ultimate comforting flavour combination.

Stretch your tuna salad with white beans for a hearty, protein-packed twist on a classic tuna salad sandwich! The creamy beans blend seamlessly with tuna, Dijon, red onion, and crunchy celery; this budget-friendly upgrade is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or salads.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant and refreshing flavours of this Cucumber Salad with Beans! Crisp English cucumbers, white pea beans, and zesty red onion unite in a medley of deliciousness. The dressing, bursting with notes of sweet, salty and sour, will take your entire meal to the next level.

Inspired by Greek flavours, this comforting white bean soup combines the freshness of dill, thyme, and lemon with hearty white kidney beans and kale. With bright citrus notes and earthy herbs, this soup is a cozy yet light dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxing weekend lunch.

Warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking about picnics, potlucks, and pasta salads! This recipe is loaded with tender pasta, fresh kale, creamy white beans, sun dried tomatoes, briny olives, and heaps of Parmesan and feta cheese. Tossed in a bright and garlicky basil dressing, the pasta salad tastes best after it rests in the fridge for an hour before serving, and given the sturdiness of the greens, it’s perfect for make-ahead meal planning too. Not only does the pasta salad taste delicious, it’s nutrient-dense thanks to the fibre and protein rich white beans and the superfood that is kale.

Most people think that Indian food uses mainly chickpeas and a ton of lentil varieties, but this Northern Indian dal uses red kidney beans simmered with tomato, onion and spices. Its quite hot, due to the Kashmiri red chili powder and tastes even better the next day. This is my quick, weeknight version using canned red kidney beans with a couple of shortcuts in method but no shortcuts in flavour.

The whole family will love these easy black bean quesadillas with bell peppers, onions, corn and garlic for a simple, vegetarian dinner where beans are the star. Bake in a sheet pan in the oven for easy, hands-free cooking.