8 Ways To Use Cranberry Beans

Dried cranberry beans are cooked until tender, then combined with garlic, tomato, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and farfalle pasta in this thick and comforting Italian-inspired soup that's easy to prepare. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, additional grated Parmesan cheese, and good bread for savoring every last drop!

Tender cooked cranberry beans, cucumber, red onion, and tomato are tossed in a parsley and dill vinaigrette for a refreshing and filling summertime salad. "For best results," suggests recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar Soup Loving Nicole, "make this a day ahead of time to allow the ingredients a chance to get acquainted."

A creamy, slightly nutty flavored risotto made with fresh cranberry (or borlotti) beans from the Lombardy region in the north of Italy. It's flavored with tomato, garlic, fresh rosemary, and sage to create an incredibly flavor-packed vegetarian main. "I followed the recipe to a T," says home cook Judy G. "Fabulous!"

This is a simple yet very flavorful Italian-inspired cranberry bean recipe with escarole and crispy pancetta. Top with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and cook under the broiler until the cheese is golden brown for an irresistible greens and beans dish on New Year's Day or any time of year.

This truly tasty baked bean recipe features dried cranberry beans that are cooked in stock until tender, then combined with caramelized onions and bell pepper, and flavored with tomato sauce, sugar, mustard, vinegar, chipotle flakes, and paprika. Serve with polenta or on thick toast for a delicious vegetarian meal.

This is a hearty Italian-style brown rice soup that's packed with bacon, ham, canned cranberry beans, carrots, celery and tomatoes. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and crunchy garlic bread and you'll hear no complaints! "This soup is FABULOUS!" says home cook Lisa. "All 5 of my kids liked it and that is nothing short of a miracle!"

No soaking required in this 'drunken' bean side dish recipe that's made in an electric pressure cooker. The tender cranberry beans soak up the beer and all the different flavors added, including cumin, garlic, Mexican oregano, cilantro, spicy picante sauce, and jalapeno peppers.

Cooked cranberry beans, crispy pork guanciale, onion, garlic, tomatoes and rosemary are folded into warm polenta. Once the mixture has cooled, it's sliced into rectangles and pan-fried to create this traditional Italian appetizer that is such a treat! Serve with a salad for a light main dish if you prefer.