Cannellini beans are smaller than many other types of white beans and have an oval, slightly flattened shape. They are featured in classic dishes such as baked beans, pies, and a variety of soups, including the renowned Senate bean soup. Not only are they delicious, but consumption of baked beans made with Cannellini beans has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, thanks to their high saponin content.