Italian Green Beans Recipe with Tomatoes + Video

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Italian Green Beans are roasted to perfection in a simple side dish. Make this easy string bean recipe in just 30 minutes from prep to plate! Fresh green beans have so much flavor!  This is one of my favorite ways to cook snap beans.

titled (shown in bowl) Italian green beans.


 

I’m always on the hunt for side dishes that are easy to prepare and go with a variety of entrees. 

This way, it doesn’t matter what the main dish is — there will always be a great veggie to go with it! 

These Italian-style green beans are a great side dish recipe.

During the summer months, green bean recipes like this are popular because fresh green beans from the garden make the best green beans! 

ingredients in small bowls to make Italian green beans recipe.

Italian Green Beans

This Italian green beans recipe features a delicious combination of red onion, garlic, and grape tomatoes. 

Everything is tossed in rich olive oil and simple seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of the vegetables.

It would be great with parmesan chicken tenders or a simple pasta dish like Cacio e Pepe. Or, you could snack on the veggies with your favorite cheese and salami!

Want to see this easy Italian green beans recipe in action? Watch the video!! Look for it in the recipe card, at the bottom of this post.

knife trimming ends from Italian green beans.

Italian Beans Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t crowd the pan! Plenty of space between each bean allows for maximum caramelization, which is what makes Italian style green beans so tasty! 

    If needed, divide the vegetables between two sheet pans instead of using just one.
  • Adjust the heat. Red pepper flakes add a bit of spice, so you can omit them for a milder dish. 

    In that case, you may need to add a little extra salt and pepper to the Italian beans.
  • Hack for slicing tomatoes: Easily halve grape tomatoes in seconds with two lids and a sharp knife! 

    I like to use a serrated blade since the teeth don’t tear or shred the outer skins.
  • Want extra flavor? Include ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning with the other spices.
  • Use high quality olive oil. In a recipe this simple, the flavor really comes through! Stick with light or refined varieties, as EVOO has a lower smoke point.
drizzling olive oil over fresh vegetables on sheet pan.

How To Quickly Trim Fresh String Beans

Once you have rinsed the veggies and patted them dry, grab a handful and line them up parallel to each other on your cutting board.

Tap the ends with one hand until they are even, then slice them all off in one chop! Repeat on the other side, then with the rest of the beans, until they are all trimmed.

Italian Green Beans Recipe FAQ

Can I double this recipe?
 

Yes, but it’s important not to overcrowd the vegetables on the pan. 

Divide everything between two large rimmed baking sheets, working in batches as needed to get the best results.

  What is the difference between regular and Italian beans? 

In terms of varieties, string beans or regular beans are long and rounded in shape. Italian, or Romano, are flat and wide with more of a nutty flavor. 

This roasted green beans and tomatoes recipe works with either variety, but the Italian part refers to the flavors created by all of the ingredients.

Can I make this recipe with canned green beans? 

Technically – you can, but why? The best part of this perfect side dish is that you’re using only a handful of ingredients, one of them being fresh green beans. 

It really is an easy side dish, so don’t let the types of ingredients full you. And even if you don’t have a garden, you can still head to the grocery store or Farmer’s market to get the ingredients needed for making these tender green beans.

  Can I make Italian style green beans in advance? 

While Italian beans are best fresh from the oven, you can also save leftovers for another meal. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, pop the roasted green beans and tomatoes back in the oven or microwave individual portions until warmed through.

How do I store leftovers of this delicious side dish? 

The best way to store leftovers of these fresh beans is to let the green beans cool to room temperature, and then add them to an airtight container.

Keep them stored in the fridge and reheat and eat within 2-3 days. You can reheat in a deep skillet on the stovetop on medium heat. Just be sure that the finished dish is heated all the way through before serving. 

Leftover green beans can also be a great option to add to a meal as a low calorie option. This is what makes this dish one of my favorite recipes. The beans are fork tender, and are great for busy weekdays, or even can be fancy and perfect for a Thanksgiving meal! 

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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bowl of green beans with garlic and roasted tomatoes.

red onion, string beans and blistered tomatoes in bowl

Italian Green Beans Recipe with Tomatoes + Video

Donna Elick
Italian green beans are roasted to perfection in a simple side dish. Make this easy string bean recipe in just 30 minutes from prep to plate!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Method Oven
Servings 4

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed with ends trimmed
  • 1/4 large red onion, sliced very thin
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Rinse the green beans and pat dry. Trim the ends from the green beans by lining up several in a row and then cutting the ends off all at once.
  • Place green beans, red onion, sliced garlic, and halved tomatoes on a sheet pan and spread into a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
  • Drizzle olive oil over the top of the vegetables.
  • Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Toss the vegetables to distribute the oil and seasonings.
  • Roast for about 14 minutes or until the vegetables are beginning to caramelize.
  • Serve immediately

Video

Donna’s Notes

Don’t overcrowd the vegetables on the sheet pan. You can divide the vegetables between two sheet pans if you’d like. Ample space on the sheet pan allows for more caramelization, which is what makes this dish so delicious.
You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the vegetables.
These have some spice. For more mild green beans, omit the red pepper flakes. I used about ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Adjust for your own personal preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 80cal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Sugar: 5g | Fiber: 4g | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
italian green beans close up

Originally published February 2022, updated and republished February 2024

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this with some steak for dinner, and it turned out amazing. A delicious and fresh tasting side for any dinner really!

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