Grandma's Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Grandma's Green Beans in Tomato Sauce is a rich tomato sauce similiar to just a stew with any kind of green beans and usually pole beans when we had them.

We had this summer meal growing up as my dad always grew pole beans in our yard but any green beans can be used frozen canned or fresh.

Although money was tight back in the 1960s when Grandma made this meal occassionally we would be lucky to have some cubed pork or chicken added to the pot.

W,e made the basic recipe with just pole beans and fresh tomatoes with herbs today, however there are also many additions you can add to feed a large family.

The best part about this easy recipe, is dunking fresh Homemade Bread into the sauce, it's a bowl of pure delicious Italian comfort food.

During the holiday sprinkling, the top with dried cranberries gives this a green and red festive look and also adds a little sweetness!

For me using pole beans is a treat when I can find them and I am always appreciative when someone that still grows them sends me some this is the first recipe that I will make with them.

Scroll down and check out our easy printable recipe and remember you can use any beans your prefer in Grandma's recipe.


beans in tomato sauce pole beans and green bean recipe





Beans and Stew


Since the beans are pre-cooked in her recipe, this meal comes together quickly and the sauce gets thick like a stew would.

There isn't much prep work other than snipping off the ends and cleaning the beans before you simmer them in salted water.

Our family prefers using all fresh vine ripe plum tomatoes but when that isn't possible use a good-grade Italian crushed tomato like San Marzano.

Again this basic recipe can be adapted to more or fewer herbs, spices, and garlic to taste so adapt away.


green beans in the colander cleaned and trimmed


Tips

  • cook the beans less if you like them crisp our recipe is soft cooked pole beans
  • salt and pepper need to be to taste (we usually add more after it's cooked if needed)
  • served with garlic toasted bread this compliments the dish
  • don't forget to drizzle olive oil over the top when serving
  • grated cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano is a nice addition for a garnish)

green beans in a stew with vegetables


Ingredients You Will Need

  • green beans trimmed
  • fresh garlic
  • onion
  • white wine
  • salt, pepper to taste
  • fresh plum tomatoes
  • fresh parsley, fresh basil
  • water
  • red pepper flakes
  • olive oil


  • fresh plum tomatoes


    Other Additions and Suggestions

    • cubed squash green or yellow
    • boneless pork, chicken or beef cubes
    • add dried oregano if you like it
    • small cubed potatoes
    • sliced peppers of any kind
    • sliced carrots
    • sliced mushrooms
    • sprinkle with pecorino romano cheese on top
    • crispy fried prosciutto or  crispy cooked bacon added 
    • don't forget the bread for dunking in the sauce


    stew with zucchini and squash, potatoes and green beans


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    pin for later recipe for pole beans


    Green Bean Side Dish


    Although these were served at dinner time as a meal, these are also a great side dish with any meat you're serving.

    The sauce is fresh and very tasty and a side of rice, pasta or chicken cutlet would be a nice addition on the plate.

    If you love fresh vegetables you may also like zucchini fries or cauliflower fried florets, or Proscuitto Spiral Asparagus to try making.


    Grandma's Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

    Grandma's Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

    Yield: 6
    Author: Claudia Lamascolo
    Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min
    Fresh pole beans are a summer's garden delight simmered in a fresh tomato sauce and if you happen to grow them and have them in the freezer use canned crushed tomatoes.

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds cleaned pole beans with the ends snipped off or any green beans you prefer
    • 1/4 cup of white wine (dry)
    • 2 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes put through a food processor left chunky
    • (or 1 -28-ounce can of San Marzano or Italian-style canned crushed tomatoes
    • 1 small onion chopped fine
    • 3 cloves of finely minced garlic
    • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
    • 3 fresh basil leaves
    • salt, and pepper to taste
    • olive oil
    • pinch of red pepper flakes or to taste

    Instructions

    1. Simmer the beans in a large pan of boiling salted water for around 15 minutes.
    2. If you prefer crispy beans then boil for 10 minutes (we like these very soft).
    3. Note: if using other vegetables, we usually parboil those IE potatoes or root vegetables until softened around 10 to 115 minutes. Soft vegetables like zucchini or another squash do not need to be precooked.
    4. Drain.
    5. In a large deep soup pan, add 1/4 cup olive oil and saute the garlic and onion for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
    6. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil (red pepper if used).
    7. Stir in the beans and simmer for around 20 to 35 minutes on low heat.
    8. If the sauce gets too thick add a little water or white wine.
    9. Serve with hard-crusted Italian bread and a drizzle of olive oil over the top of the sauce and beans in a bowl.
    10. Note: if you would like to add meats, saute the meat until browned on both sides and simmer in the sauce on low for around 1 hour, this will need more water around 1 cup to tenderize and cook it through.

    Notes

    Other Additions and Suggestions

    • cubed squash green or yellow
    • boneless pork, chicken or beef cubes
    • add dried oregano if you like it
    • small cubed potatoes
    • sliced peppers any kind
    • sliced carrots
    • sliced mushrooms
    • sprinkle with pecorino romano cheese on top
    • crispy fried prosciutto or crispy cooked bacon added 
    • don't forget the bread for dunking in the sauce



    Tips

    • cook the beans less if you like them crisp our recipe is soft cooked pole beans
    • salt and pepper need to be to taste (we usually add more after it's cooked if needed)
    • served with garlic toasted bread this compliments the dish
    • don't forget to drizzle olive oil over the top when serving
    • grated cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano is a nice addition for a garnish)


    Nutrition Facts

    Calories

    111.94

    Fat (grams)

    3

    Sat. Fat (grams)

    0.44

    Carbs (grams)

    18.72

    Fiber (grams)

    6.26

    Net carbs

    12.44

    Sugar (grams)

    9.74

    Protein (grams)

    4.47

    Sodium (milligrams)

    25.17

    Cholesterol (grams)

    0

    Based on 3 chicken cubes per skewer or two small slices of chicken breast roasted

    green bean stew, pole bean stew, Grandma's pole bean recipes, how to make Italian pole beans in tomato sauce
    green bean recipes, green beans in tomato sauce recipes, pole bean recipes
    Italian, American, French


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    green bean stew


    16 comments

    1. Chicken cooked in this way is very tasty. Grandma's recipes have always something special. Bye, have a good day

      ReplyDelete
    2. I am always exited when I see recepie with Grandma in it.What is it with our Grandmas exept that we love(D) them so much.
      My mother often says she doesnt think when her grandchildren grow up they will think of her kitchen and cooking(and she is excelelnt cook) that way...
      Stew is fantatstic.And we also us eto mop bread in soup in sauces and in the baking pans when meat was taken out;)))

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    3. Sounds delicious AND comforting! Always enjoy your yummy posts :)

      ReplyDelete
    4. You're absolutely right. My favorite part of visiting my Grandma's house was dinner time. She was an awesome cook!

      That is is one delicious looking pot of meat and veggies!

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    5. 'Grandma's recipes are always the best!It looks great!xxx

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    6. How delicious this sounds. I have some zucchini to use up. This is a wonderful way to do just that.

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    7. I love these kinds of recipes and dishes!! The ones where you get creative with what you have and whats in season are always the tastiest :) Great ideas for my 3 zucchini I have left from this years garden!!

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    8. This sounds great. It's definitely that time of year. Warm, hearty soups. That's what I like. Very healthy!

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    9. I wish I had some recipes from my grandma. This sounds really good and I have peppers and mushrooms. I just may have found dinner tonight.

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    10. Dear Claudia, This is so very true. My mom never used recipes and if she did she never wound up following it. Her food was just the best. I try to make some of the dishes she made but it just is not the same. I guess it is the company, the laughter and the music that is missing. I do try though so that my kids have memories too. Have a beautiful evening my dear friend, Catherine xoxo

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    11. So hearty and warming! You're right - Grandmas did it best!

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    12. Looks wonderful, and bookmarking this to try - my daughter enjoys all kinds of chicken recipes! Simple and easy is best for this grandmom too!

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    13. I will be doing this Claudia - just bookmarked. Grandma and my aunts (and uncles) never used recipes. Part of the joy of cooking was learning (or just knowing) what combines well - as in this dish!

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    14. Hubby would pick out all the zucchini, but that just means more for me! This looks like the perfect fall dinner~

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    15. This zucchini stew look delicious and healthy too, great combo! ;)
      and tq for ur kind comment at my mandu post claudia... nice to know u! ;)

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    16. Grandma's (Nonna's) recipes are always the best!

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    Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia