Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans
Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans is a rich and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender butter beans simmered in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian herbs. It's an easy vegetarian recipe that's perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or served with crusty bread.
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Can opener
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
For the Butter Beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes drained and chopped
- 2 cans butter beans 15 ounces each, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Sauce
- 3/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley optional
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the onion
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until it softens.
Step 2: Add garlic and sun dried tomatoes
- Stir in the minced garlic and chopped sun dried tomatoes. Cook for about 1 minute, just until the garlic smells fragrant.
Step 3: Add the butter beans
- Add the drained butter beans, Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently so the beans are coated with the seasonings.
Step 4: Pour in the broth
- Add the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 4 to 5 minutes so the beans warm through and absorb some flavor.
Step 5: Add the cream
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes. Do not boil the sauce hard.
Step 6: Stir in Parmesan and spinach
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce. Add the baby spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until wilted.
Step 7: Finish the dish
- Stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if needed. Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley before serving.