Description
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans is a rich and comforting skillet dish featuring tender butter beans simmered in a flavorful tomato and herb sauce, enhanced with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a luscious creamy finish with Parmesan and fresh spinach. Perfect for a quick yet hearty meal with a touch of Italian flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Tomatoes & Beans
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) butter beans, rinsed and drained
Dairy & Greens
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning & Garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté onion: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic and herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for about one minute until fragrant.
- Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes: Add the julienned sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring well to blend with the onion and herbs.
- Simmer crushed tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
- Add butter beans and cream: Stir in the rinsed butter beans and heavy cream. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes until the beans are warmed through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Wilt spinach and season: Add fresh spinach to the skillet and allow it to wilt into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Melt Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the sauce and stir until melted and incorporated, creating a creamy texture.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving warm.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- For extra protein, add cooked chicken or sausage if desired.
- Red pepper flakes can be adjusted or omitted based on your heat preference.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or over cooked pasta or rice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
