Description
Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans deliver creamy comfort straight from Italian kitchens, guaranteed to make your dinner table feel like a warm Mediterranean embrace. Garlic, herbs, and tender beans create a simple yet satisfying meal that connects you directly to rustic Tuscan cooking traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 (15 oz) cans butter beans
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 small yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Sauté the finely chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until the kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma.
- Toss in ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute to release their intense flavor.
- Pour ½ cup vegetable broth into the skillet. Scrape the bottom of the pan to lift any browned bits, simmering for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Lower the heat to low. Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese. Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, simmering for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain and rinse 2 cans of butter beans. Gently fold the beans into the creamy sauce, ensuring each bean gets coated. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to warm through.
- Add 2 cups baby spinach to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts completely, about 1-2 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper to your taste. Give the mixture a final gentle stir.
- Tear fresh basil leaves over the top for a bright, herbal finish. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Swap butter beans for cannellini or great northern beans if butter beans aren’t available, keeping the creamy texture intact.
- Create a dairy-free version by using coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of parmesan cheese.
- For extra depth, toast the sun-dried tomatoes briefly before adding them to concentrate their rich, tangy flavor.
- Fresh herbs make a significant difference, so don’t skimp on the basil garnish and consider adding fresh thyme during the simmering stage for more complexity.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg