White Bean Chilli with Roasted Pumpkin
Savour the taste of autumn with this hands-off, traybake White Bean Chilli. This cosy and comforting recipe features roasted pumpkin and the easiest quick pickles.
As the autumn leaves fall and Halloween passes, it’s time to make our White Bean Chilli with Roasted Pumpkin with that leftover jack-o-lantern. This hearty and flavourful dish combines the velvety texture of white beans, the comforting heat of chilli and spice, and the natural sweetness of roasted pumpkin. Delve into the world of one-pot meals, explore the convenience of using an air fryer for a traybake, and unlock the full potential of those leftover Halloween pumpkins.
The Ultimate One-Pot Meal: White Bean Chilli
One-pan meals are a kitchen revelation, offering convenience without sacrificing flavour. In our quest to create an indulgent yet deceptivly healthy dish that captures the essence of autumn, we embrace the beauty of simple flavours and great ingredients.
This dish demands little effort and minimal prep time, making it a perfect choice for both busy weeknight dinners and weekend feasts. Most of the work takes place in your oven or air fryer, meaning you don’t have baby a pot on the stove. This leaves you free to enjoy time with family and friends, or even catch up on your favourite show.
We start by layering the onions and garlic into the roasting dish, then popping them into the air fryer or oven for a couple of minutes while the appliance comes to temperature. This softens the onions and frees you up to peel your pumpkin, if you like, and gather all the other ingredients. Roasting pumpkin with the skin on retains a higher concentration of nutrients, as many of the essential vitamins and minerals are concentrated in or near the skin. Pumpkin skin is a good source of dietary fibre and contains valuable nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. So keep those skins on if you like. Next, we add the beans, stock, and aromatics to the roasting tray, and either nestle the pumpkin wedges on top of the beans or place them above the beans on a rack if you have the Instant Vortex Air Fryer Oven. Roast everyone until the beans break down and turn creamy, and the pumpkin is caramelized and tender. While the White Bean Chilli and Pumpkin roast, you can opt to make our easy pickle, or simply finish your meal with pickled jalapenos (we wont tell!). That’s dinner sorted!
With just a handy roasting dish, you can enjoy a healthy, complete meal that’s not only delicious but also incredibly easy to tidy up after. It’s the essence of cozy comfort and kitchen efficiency.
From Pumpkins to Perfection
Autumn wouldn’t be complete without the joy of carving pumpkins for Halloween. But what do you do with those leftover pumpkin pieces after the spooky festivities have ended? White Bean Chilli with Roasted Pumpkin provides a delicious solution. Don’t let those pumpkin remnants go to waste. Roasting them in the air fryer or oven brings out their natural sweetness, concentrating the autumnal flavours. So don’t toss that Halloween pumpkin! It’s still good to eat, which cuts food waste, reduces your carbon footprint, and saves you money on groceries.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for a Traybake
When it comes to making a delicious white bean chilli traybake, using an air fryer has some remarkable benefits.
Quick and Even Cooking: The high-speed convection cooking technology ensures your white bean chilli traybake is perfectly cooked in no time, a great benefit for busy cooks seeking a flavourful meal without a long wait.
Effortless Cleanup: Bid farewell to the task of scrubbing away stubborn baked-on food residue. The non-stick surface of the air fryer basket and tray allows for easy cleaning with just a simple wipe-down. Your air fryer will be ready for its next culinary adventure in no time.
Space-Saving Convenience: Most air fryers come in a compact size, which saves valuable counter space. They are a convenient addition to any kitchen, making them the perfect choice for hassle-free white bean chilli traybakes.
Share the love for White Bean Chilli
Looking for more autumn recipes to make the most of your leftover pumpkin? Try our Parmesan Pumpkin Donuts, Air Fryer Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake, or Roast Pumpkin with Burrata” As usual, if you try this recipe let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned white beans for this recipe, or should I use dried beans?
You can use either canned or dried white beans. If using dried beans, make sure to soak and cook them before adding them to the recipe.
Why do I need to reserve the liquid from the canned white beans?
Using the liquid from canned beans can enhance flavour, thicken dishes, and serve as a cost-effective, vegan-friendly alternative to stock in recipes
How can I make this White Bean Chilli recipe with chicken?
To make this White Bean Chilli with chicken, you can add chicken (or turkey) mince to the recipe. Cook it along with the onions, garlic, and spices until it’s no longer pink. Then, proceed with the recipe as usual, adding the roasted pumpkin and white beans. Chicken adds a delicious twist to this chilli, providing a protein-rich alternative to the vegetarian version.
What’s the purpose of the pickle in this recipe?
The pickle adds a tangy and slightly spicy element to the dish, which complements the flavours of the creamy bean chilli. It’s optional but adds a unique twist to the recipe.
What can I serve as a garnish or side with White Bean Chilli?
Common garnishes include shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, or avocado slices. It pairs well with crusty bread, cornbread, or tortilla chips as a side.
White Bean Chilli with Roasted Pumpkin
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 2 generous servings
Description
Savour the taste of autumn with this hands-off, traybake White Bean Chilli. This cosy and comforting recipe features roasted pumpkin and the easiest quick pickles.
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions, diced finely
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 green chilli, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 400g white beans, drained (keep 200ml of the liquid)
- 200ml bean liquid
- 100ml vegetable stock
- 45ml vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt, pepper, and oil as needed
- 600g pumpkin, peeled and sliced into wedges
- 1/4 red onion, sliced (for pickle)
Garnishes
- sour cream, cheese or fresh coriander
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C or your air fryer to 165°C.
Dice the onions, grate the garlic, and toss them with a bit of oil. Place them in a roasting dish.
Roast the onions and garlic for about 5-10 minutes, in the oven or air fryer while it preheats until they become slightly softened and have a little colour.
While the onions are roasting, prepare the pumpkin by peeling and slicing it into wedges. Dice one green chilli. For the pickle (if making it), slice the remaining two chillies finely, and thinly slice the red onion.
In the roasting dish with the caramelized onions and garlic, add the diced green chilli, cumin, chilli flakes, bay leaf, drained white beans, 200ml of the bean liquid and vegetable stock. Stir everything together until well combined.
Place the pumpkin wedges on top of the bean mixture or on a rack above it if possible.
Roast the dish in your air fryer or oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the bean chilli has reduced and become creamy, and the pumpkin is golden brown and cooked through. Sweeter varieties of pumpkin may brown a little quicker, so feel free to remove the pumpkin and keep cooking the bean chilli until it reaches the desired consistency.
While the pumpkin is cooking, you can make the optional pickle. Heat the vinegar and sugar in the microwave until the sugar dissolves. Add the sliced red onion and green chilies to a jar, then pour the vinegar mixture over them. Set this aside until the bean chili is done.
Once the bean chili and pumpkin are ready, serve them together. Top with the optional pickle if desired and your favourite garnishes.
- Prep Time: 5-10
- Cook Time: 30-40
- Category: Quick and Easy
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
