These Italian Green Beans take frozen green beans and season them with just a few simple herbs and spices to make a great side dish.
Italian green beans are also known as Romano beans. These bean pods are broader and flatter than the standard green bean. While the flavor is very similar, some people think that Romano beans have a more bean-like taste.
I have made this recipe with Italian green beans and with regular green beans. As pictured, it is with Romano beans. Of course, I just grab whichever bag I have on hand most of the time; the taste is great either way.
In Italian cuisine green beans are transformed from an ordinary side into something special with just a few simple techniques. Learn how to make tender flavorful Italian-style green beans with this easy recipe.
As an Italian-American home cook and food blogger, I grew up eating long, flat Italian green beans simmered in a chunky, garlicky tomato sauce. It was one of my nonna’s go-to sides, often served alongside sausages or braised meats. The beans soaked up the sweet, acidic sauce and turned completely irresistible.
Through my travels in Italy over the years, I’ve discovered many delicious regional variations for preparing fagiolini, from Florentine-style beans sautéed with olive oil and garlic to Roman beans stewed with guanciale. Yet my nonna’s Italian green bean recipe remains a favorite that I now make for my own family
Here’s how to cook Italian green beans so they turn out perfect every time:
Choose the Best Beans
Long, wide Italian green beans are ideal, but any fresh green beans work beautifully. Look for:
- Slender, smooth pods without bulges or bruises
- Bright green color from stem to tip
- A bit of flex when snapped, not limpness
Regular green beans are more rounded while Italian green beans are flatter and wider. If you can’t find Italian beans, regular green beans are a fine substitute.
You can also use yellow wax beans Frozen and canned beans won’t have the same fresh, tender texture
Prep the Beans
Start by washing the green beans in cold water even if they look clean. Trim both stem and tip ends. Leave smaller beans whole, halve larger beans crosswise or cut into 2-inch pieces.
I usually cut beans on a sharp diagonal which makes them look lovelier on the plate. But for rustic homestyle beans, simply chopping straight across works fine.
Having the beans around the same 2-inch length helps them cook evenly. Keep prepped beans spread in a single layer on a towel-lined baking sheet until ready to cook.
Make a Simple Tomato Sauce
Italian green beans shine when paired with a chunky, garlicky tomato sauce. You can shortcut this step by using canned crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce. But a quick DIY sauce tastes so much fresher.
In a skillet, cook diced onions, carrots and celery (soffritto) in olive oil over medium heat until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes then pour in a can of tomatoes.
Break tomatoes up with a spoon. Simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes to meld flavors. Season with salt and pepper.
Tip: For convenience, make the sauce up to 3 days ahead. It stores well in the fridge or freezer.
Simmer the Beans
Once your sauce is simmering, add the green beans. Toss to coat then cover the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Test a bean for doneness – they should be fork tender but still have some bite. Add a splash of water if the sauce reduces too much.
When done, remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then taste and add more salt, pepper or red pepper as desired. Stir in basil or parsley.
Other Cooking Methods
Beyond simmering in tomato sauce, here are more ways to cook Italian green beans:
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Sauté: Cook beans in olive oil with garlic and chili flakes. Toss until tender-crisp.
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Roast: Toss with oil and roast at 400°F until browned. Sprinkle with Parmesan after.
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Steam: Steam in a basket set over boiling water just until tender-crisp. Shock in ice water to stop cooking.
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Blanch: Boil 3 to 5 minutes then drain and shock in an ice bath. Keeps well.
Serving Suggestions
Beans cooked in tomato sauce pair perfectly with Italian sausage, chicken parm, or osso buco. They’re also delicious alongside fish, steak or pork.
For a light lunch, enjoy beans as a room temperature side salad with dollops of ricotta salata and torn basil. My kids devour them sprinkled with Parmesan.
Leftover beans keep well for a few days in the fridge. Reheat gently with a little olive oil or incorporate into pasta salads, frittatas or soups.
So next time you cook up green beans, try this easy Italian-inspired preparation. Letting the beans braise in a simple tomato sauce transforms an everyday veggie into a crave-worthy side. Mangia!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of green beans are best?
Long, flat Italian green beans are ideal but regular rounded green beans also work wonderfully. Go for fresh over frozen or canned.
Do I need to blanch the beans first?
No need to blanch before braising in the sauce. Blanching is good if making ahead.
Can I use diced tomatoes instead of crushed?
Certainly! Diced tomatoes will make a chunkier sauce. Just break them up a bit with a spoon.
How long is too long to simmer the beans?
There’s a wide window for doneness. Start checking at 10 minutes but beans can braise up to 30 minutes.
Should I remove the sauce before serving?
No way! The sauce clinging to the beans is the best part. Just tip off excess liquid if needed.
What herbs complement the beans?
Basil, parsley, oregano and thyme all pair well. Add whole sprigs while cooking or chopped at the end.
How can I spice them up?
Add crushed red pepper, black pepper, chili flakes or a spicy Italian sausage for heat.
Can I prep them ahead of time?
Absolutely. Cool completely then refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
With just a few ingredients and simple preparation, these Italian-style green beans are an easy, tasty side to add to your dinner rotation.
Italian Green Beans Recipe
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- frozen Italian green beans
- olive oil and butter
- garlic
- Italian seasoning
- crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- fresh Italian parsley
Start by steaming the green beans in the microwave according to package instructions. Then, in a skillet over medium-low heat, mix the garlic, olive oil, Italian seasonings, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds, swirling the pan a couple of times as the spices warm. Then, add the green beans. Stir to coat them with the oil and spices.
Continue cooking for about 2 more minutes. Then, add a tablespoon of butter and stir to melt.
Sprinkle with parsley, or even parmesan cheese or toasted bread crumbs, and serve warm.
Want more recipes like this frozen green bean side dish? These crispy Parmesan Green Beans are made with fresh green beans, a drizzle of oil, a dash of spices, and a lot of cheese. They’re wonderfully crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Tender, slightly crisp Green Beans with Herbs are sauteed in butter. This is a side dish that everyone enjoys.
Sauteed ginger and garlic are an aromatic start to this crave-worthy Green Bean Stir Fry. And, homemade Green Bean Casserole is about to change your holiday side dish game.
These Green Bean Bacon Bundles are a treat for dinner. They look nice and taste great. The glaze is buttery, sweet, and spicy.
This Green Bean Artichoke Casserole is sure to be a hit on your holiday table. It has earthy artichoke hearts and crisp, tender green beans. It’s covered in a garlicky cream sauce.
If you want, you can make these Thai green beans with peanut sauce as mild or spicy as you like. They only take 15 minutes to make.
