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Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans Recipe

4.9 from 19 reviews

Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans is a rich, comforting dish featuring tender butter beans simmered in a luscious garlic and sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Enhanced with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, this hearty recipe combines Italian flavors with a creamy texture, perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal or a vegan adaptation using coconut cream and nutritional yeast.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, diced

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for a vegan option)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for a vegan version)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Main Ingredient

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans, rinsed and drained

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring the garlic doesn’t burn.
  2. Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to release their rich flavors. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream, combining all elements into a smooth sauce.
  3. Add the Butter Beans: Gently fold in the rinsed and drained butter beans, making sure they are fully coated with the creamy sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes so the beans can absorb the flavors.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese which will help thicken the sauce naturally. If the sauce is too thick, adjust consistency by adding a little more broth as needed. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, to taste.
  5. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Finally, sprinkle the chopped fresh basil into the dish and gently stir. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves before serving for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Notes

  • Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
  • Adjust salt and red pepper flakes according to your taste preference.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes can be oil-packed or dry; if dry, soak them in warm water beforehand to soften.
  • This dish pairs well with crusty bread, pasta, or polenta for a fuller meal.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based milk thickened with a teaspoon of flour.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan butter beans, creamy butter beans, Tuscan bean recipe, vegetarian Italian recipe, butter beans in cream sauce, easy dinner recipe