At the intersection of cozy and easy, you'll find pizza beans. Paired with some toasty garlic bread, this is about as close to a warm hug as it gets.

What are they, you ask? Exactly what they sound like. A skillet of canned beans and aromatics simmered in marinara sauce, topped with cheese and broiled until bubbly, gooey and just a little browned on top. When you pull it out of the oven, you top it with more pizza toppings -- Parm, basil, red pepper flakes and a little honey for that extra-special touch.

This dish is a great way to use up any extra vegetables or protein hanging out in your fridge (aka future pizza toppings). Saute leftover vegetables with the aromatics, layer protein with the cheese on top, and mix and match as you see fit. Just like with pizza, you're only limited by your own creativity.

Rachel Perlmutter is a culinary producer for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and cooking. Submit any comments or questions to [email protected].

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