077 / 100 · Family Dinner Helpers

Tomato-and-White-Bean Gratin

Name: Tomato-and-White-Bean Gratin
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 small dinner portions
Ingredients: 3 cups drained canned white beans; 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes; 1/2 tsp dried basil; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella; 1 tbsp olive oil

Suggested ages 9–12 Cook with help: an adult handles heat and sharp tools

4 small dinner portionsActive 15 minTotal 40 min

A gratin has a golden top over a soft filling. This one uses beans and tomatoes beneath cheesy crumbs. The young cook spreads the topping while the dish is cold, and the grown-up watches for bubbling edges.

Start with the grown-up check

A square baking dish of white beans in red tomato sauce with a golden mozzarella-and-breadcrumb topping. — AI-generated gouache-style food illustration. Follow the written ingredients and method.

Before you begin · grown-up check

The adult opens beans and tomatoes and handles the oven, hot dish and serving.

A grown-up checks ingredient labels, the workspace and the young cook’s readiness before starting.
Adult heats oven to 400°F, opens and rinses beans and opens tomatoes; check breadcrumb ingredient labels.

Ages are a starting guide. A grown-up checks your readiness and stays nearby. Follow the actor label on every step.

Let’s make it

Tick off steps as you go. Your ticks stay in this browser.

TogetherWash hands with soap and water, clear the work area and read all the steps before measuring.
Young cookMix beans, tomatoes, basil and salt in the cold baking dish.
Young cookStir breadcrumbs, cheese and oil in the bowl until the crumbs are lightly coated.
Young cookScatter crumbs over the beans in an even layer without packing them down.
Grown-upBake 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and the center reaches 165°F. Rest 5 minutes, then portion and check serving temperature.

The skill you’re learning

Oil helps dry crumbs brown. Mixing it through before sprinkling avoids one greasy patch and several dusty ones.

Try one change

Replace white beans with the same amount of drained canned chickpeas.

Serving & storing

A grown-up puts leftovers in a covered shallow container at 40°F or colder within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. Use within 2 days. A grown-up reheats only the portion needed to 165°F.

Cook with a grown-up

Read the young-cook and grown-up guide for help labels, clean preparation and ingredient checks.

Keep your recipe card

The card includes the exact ingredients, grown-up setup and actor-labeled steps.

Save printable recipe card

Printable ingredients, age and actor-labeled steps for Tomato-and-White-Bean Gratin