As a little inside scoop, when I first pitched this recipe, the title was “pizza beans (hear me out!),” but no one needed convincing (I mean, Smitten Kitchen’s aptly named recipe is quite well-known). At the intersection of cozy and easy, you’ll find pizza beans. Paired with some toasty garlic bread, this is about as close to a warm hug as it gets.
What are they, you ask? Exactly what they sound like. A skillet of canned beans and aromatics simmered in marinara sauce, topped with cheese, and broiled until bubbly, gooey, and just a little browned on top. When you pull it out of the oven, you top it with more pizza toppings—Parm, basil, red pepper flakes, and a little honey for that extra-special touch.
