Vegetarian, European
Fasolakia, Greek green beans in tomato sauce with feta
Fasolakia is a Greek dish of green beans and potatoes simmered slowly in tomato sauce, served with feta and bread. This recipe serves 4, takes 1 hour, is very easy, and costs €1.80 per serving. The key to success is long, gentle cooking, which turns the beans soft rather than crisp.
Tonight, let's make fasolakia, green beans slow simmered in tomato sauce, just like on a Greek island.
- Total time
- 1 h
- Difficulty
- Very easy
- Cost per person
- €1.80
- Calories per person
- 730 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Summer
- The kids
- They generally like it
Fasolakia turns everything you know about green beans upside down. Instead of staying crisp, they simmer slowly in a garlicky tomato sauce until soft, almost melting. The potatoes soak up that sauce and give the dish body, while crumbled feta on top adds a salty, creamy bite with every forkful.
This is an easy summer dish, perfect for a weeknight since it mostly needs patience rather than effort. Kids tend to like it too, since the vegetables turn soft in a sauce they already know well. Served warm with crusty bread, it also works nicely made a bit ahead for a relaxed dinner with friends.
The ingredients
Fruits and vegetables
- Green beans 800 g
- Potatoes 500 g
- Onion 1
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Parsley 6 sprigs
Pantry
- Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 400 g
- Olive oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Dairy
- Feta 150 g
Bakery
- Country bread 4 slices
Allergens Gluten, Lactose
The step by step recipe
-
Trim the green beans, cut the potatoes into large chunks, and finely chop the onion and garlic.
Cut the potatoes into big cubes so they don't fall apart during cooking.
-
Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil, then add the green beans and potatoes.
Let them soak up the oil's flavor for a few minutes before adding any liquid.
-
Pour in the tomatoes and a glass of water, then season with salt and pepper.
The beans should be just barely covered with liquid.
-
Cover and let simmer over low heat until the vegetables are very tender. 40 min
Stir gently once or twice so you don't break up the potatoes.
-
Sprinkle with parsley, drizzle with raw olive oil, and serve with the feta and bread.
This dish tastes even better warm than piping hot.
Our tips to get it right
- Pick fresh green beans rather than frozen ones, they hold up better during the long simmer without falling completely apart.
- Taste the sauce before serving, tomatoes sometimes need a pinch of sugar if they're too acidic, especially out of season.
- Let the beans cook a bit longer if they still feel firm, they should give way easily under a fork.
The variations
- Swap canned tomatoes for ripe fresh ones in summer, peeled and chopped.
- For a heartier version, add a few extra potatoes, the dish is already vegetarian without meat.
- For kids in a hurry, blend part of the tomato sauce before adding the beans, it turns smoother and milder.
What to serve it with
- Grilled crusty bread
- A glass of dry white wine
- A fresh cucumber salad
Storage
Fasolakia keeps for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, and the flavor often improves the next day. This dish freezes well, but leave out the feta and add it fresh when serving. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.
Questions about this dish
Why do the green beans need to be soft instead of crisp?
That's the traditional fasolakia texture, cooked long enough to soak up the tomato and garlic flavors. Crisp beans would leave the dish half cooked, not the real Greek version.
Can you make fasolakia ahead of time?
Yes, it's actually recommended, the sauce gets better after resting a few hours or overnight. Reheat gently and add the fresh feta right before serving.
Can feta be replaced with another cheese?
You can use fresh sheep's milk cheese if you don't have feta on hand. The result will be slightly less salty but just as creamy.
Do frozen green beans work for this recipe?
They work, but shorten the simmering time a bit since they're already partly cooked. Fresh beans still hold their shape better by the end of cooking.
How long does it take to make fasolakia, Greek green beans simmered in tomato sauce with feta?
Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.
How many calories are in fasolakia, Greek green beans simmered in tomato sauce with feta?
About 730 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does fasolakia, Greek green beans simmered in tomato sauce with feta cost?
About €1.80 per serving, or €7.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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