Simple Italian Green Beans

Italian Green Beans are a delicious way to enjoy a classic side dish with a new twist. Roasted in the oven with juicy tomatoes and finished with grated parmesan cheese, these green beans are quick and delicious.

Italian Green Beans

My husband’s favorite way to cook green beans are just like his grandma used to do. On the stove top, in an old school pressure cooker, with the ones on the bottom coming out slightly scorched. And no salt!

I admit that this is not my favorite way to eat green beans. I’m more of a steamed veggie kind of girl. Thank goodness for those easy steamer bags you find in the frozen foods section of the market.

Grabbing a bag of frozen veggies is definitely a convenience, but starting with fresh, raw vegetables is hands down the way to go. And I have found that roasting them brings out their flavor like nothing else does.

That’s why this Italian Green Beans recipe is my favorite way to prepare them. It’s quick, only uses a few ingredients, and really brings out the flavor of the beans. My other favorite ways to eat them are my Spicy Garlic Green Beans, my Smothered Green Beans with bacon, and this Green Bean Casserole.

Ingredients Needed

Green Beans – This recipe uses regular string beans but you can use Italian or Romano green beans which are wide and flat. Use fresh or frozen.

Italian Seasoning – I like to use homemade but if you don’t have any, a sprinkle of oregano and rosemary will do the trick. You can even toss in some red pepper flakes for heat.

Italian Dressing – Use your favorite dressing or kick up the flavor with a zesty one.

Tomatoes – Grape or cherry tomatoes are best for roasting because they just burst with flavor at the right time. You can use a can of diced tomatoes in a pinch.

Parmesan Cheese – This adds a salty and nutty flavor to the beans and rounds out the entire dish.

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How to Make Italian Green Beans

First: Preheat the oven to 425F. Prepare a 9×13 oven safe dish with cooking spray.

Second: Trim the beans (defrost if using frozen) and toss with the Italian dressing to coat them. Add the green beans to the baking dish and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

Third: Take the pan out of the oven and add the tomatoes. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the tomatoes start to burst.

Fourth: Remove the beans from the oven and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

How long do they last?

Store any leftovers you may have in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or the oven until warmed through.

Because the recipe doesn’t take that long start to finish, you won’t really need to freeze them.

What is the difference between Italian green beans and regular green beans?

Also called Romano beans, Italian green beans are wider and flatter than regular string beans.

I call this recipe “Italian” but really it’s “Italian-inspired.”

Can I use canned green beans in this recipe?

One of the best things about this recipe is the texture of the roasted green beans. Starting with fresh, and even frozen beans, will mean the beans will be tender with a few crispy edges.

Using canned green beans will work in a pinch but if roasted too long they can become too soft. If you need to use canned, rinsing them thoroughly before tossing in the dressing.

Reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes before adding the tomatoes.

Serving Suggestions

These Italian Green Beans will make a delicious side dish next to Homemade Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni Al Forno, or this Chicken Tetrazzini.

Tips for No Leftovers

• Top with crispy bacon for a little extra texture.
• Sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs for extra buttery flavor.
• Grate cheese on the top just before serving.
• Use fresh or frozen green beans.
• Don’t have cherry tomatoes? Substitute fire roasted diced tomatoes instead.
• If you don’t want to use Italian dressing, make your own marinade with olive oil, spices, and minced garlic.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Italian Green Beans are tender and flavorful with crispy edges and topped with nutty parmesan cheese. In around 15 minutes you can make this delicious side dish recipe that pairs well with just about anything.

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