Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil Recipe
This Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans recipe offers a luscious, comforting dish featuring tender butter beans enveloped in a rich, garlicky, sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Perfect as a satisfying vegetarian main course or a hearty side dish, it's simple to prepare and can easily be made vegan by swapping dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for a vegan option
- 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans rinsed and drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for a vegan version
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to release their flavors. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and stir in the heavy cream or coconut cream.
- Add the Butter Beans: Gently fold in the butter beans, ensuring they’re fully coated in the sauce. Let them simmer for 7 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, which will naturally thicken the sauce. Adjust the consistency with more broth if needed.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil on top for a burst of color and flavor. Add red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning, then gently stir before serving. Garnish with extra basil leaves.
Notes
- Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast to make this dish vegan.
- Adjust the salt according to the saltiness of your broth and Parmesan cheese.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more broth to reach desired consistency.
- For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Butter beans can be substituted with cannellini or great northern beans.
- Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.
