 Breadcrumbs

  



   ![Cannellini All'Uccelletto (Cannellini Beans In Tomato Sauce)](https://media.sheerluxe.com/CIc7YjSEmXjjqrVTgOq8pWT3_r8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F03%2Fcannellini-beans-tomato-sauce-thumb.jpeg?itok=XBSQMPgd)

  

 

 



 

  Photography: DAVID LOFTUS 

 

 

 

[Mains](/life/food/recipes/mains)

 /  06 March 2023  

#  Cannellini All'Uccelletto (Cannellini Beans In Tomato Sauce)  


This traditional Tuscan dish is very simple and quick to prepare. The name Uccelletto (from bird) suggests various theories: this dish was served with game, or the same ingredients of garlic and sage were used in game dishes, or it’s because the beans were used instead of meat. Whichever are its origins, it makes a lovely side or main course dish. It’s Italy’s healthier version of the UK’s baked beans. In fact, it is also delicious served on toasted rustic bread. To save time, you can use two tins of cannellini beans instead of the dried, if you prefer.  


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  Photography: DAVID LOFTUS 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

Serves

 4 

 



Total Time

 1 Hour 30 Minutes  Plus soaking overnight  

 



 

 

Ingredients

    250g of dried cannellini beans, soaked in plenty of cold water overnight  

   2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, plus an extra good drizzle  

   8 sage leaves  

   1 garlic clove, finely sliced  

   ½ red chilli, finely chopped (optional)  

   250ml of tomato passata  

   4 slices of rustic bread  

   Sea salt  

 



  

 



Method

 Step 1 

Drain and rinse the soaked cannellini beans, then place in a saucepan with plenty of cold water, bring to the boil and cook until tender, about 40-50 minutes – check the cooking time on your bean packet. Drain, reserving about 100ml of the cooking water. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan, add four sage leaves and fry over a medium heat for a minute or so until crispy, then add the garlic and chilli and sweat for a minute.



 Step 2 

Add the tomato passata and the reserved bean cooking water (if you are using canned  
 beans, add can juice plus 50ml of water) and some salt to taste, then reduce the  
 heat, partially cover with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes.



 Step 3 

Add the cannellini beans and simmer for a further 5 minutes until heated through. If you are using canned beans, add their liquid as well.



 Step 4 

Just before the end of the cooking time, toast the bread slices. Heat a good drizzle of olive oil in a small frying pan, add the remaining sage leaves and fry over a medium heat for a minute or so until crispy.



 Step 5 

Divide the bean mixture between individual bowls, top with the crispy sage and a drizzle of the sage-infused olive oil and serve with the toasted rustic bread.



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/REbaXtsN9KbqdzngJpnACDiSREo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F03%2Fgennaro-book-jacket.jpg?itok=IGVR_XFq)

 

 ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.waterstones.com/book/gennaros-cucina/gennaro-contaldo/9781911682608) 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe courtesy of [*Gennaro’s Cucina: Hearty Money-Saving Meals from an Italian Kitchen*](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3787&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fgennaros-cucina%2Fgennaro-contaldo%2F9781911682608) by Gennaro Contaldo (Pavilion Books). Image by David Loftus.

 

 

 

 

  

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