Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 medium-to-large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 (15- to 15.5-ounce) cans cannellini, Great Northern, or butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss-style or Gruyère-style cheese, made with vegetarian rennet if needed
Instructions
- Melt the butter with the olive oil in a 10- to 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and salt and toss to coat.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the onions are very soft and deep golden. If browned bits begin to darken too quickly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water and scrape the skillet.
- Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds. Add the balsamic vinegar and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and add the drained beans and black pepper. Mash about 1/2 cup of the beans against the side of the skillet, then stir them back into the broth.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth lightly coats the beans. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.
- Heat the broiler. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the beans and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and browned in spots.
- Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with extra thyme and black pepper and serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian recipe, use vegetable broth and a cheese made with vegetarian or microbial rennet.
- Butter beans are softer than cannellini or Great Northern beans, so stir them gently.
- If your skillet is not broiler-safe, cover it on the stovetop after adding the cheese and cook until the cheese melts.
- Nutrition is estimated without bread or other optional serving items.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop and Broiler
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian