This Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans recipe is a wonderfully comforting and simple dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal that comes together in no time, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
My mom, Eva, taught me that love was the best seasoning. I still remember her humming in the kitchen, the air filled with garlic and herbs. This dish is my tribute to her, a spoonful of those warm, comforting memories in every creamy bite.
What Makes This Dish a Family Favorite
- Ready in a Heartbeat: This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect little miracle for busy evenings.
- A Hug in a Bowl: The combination of coconut cream and nutritional yeast (or parmesan) creates a luxuriously creamy sauce that feels deeply comforting.
- A Simple Pantry Treasure: This Butter Beans Recipe relies on common ingredients, so you can whip it up whenever your heart desires.
- Make It Your Own: Feel free to adjust the seasonings, wilt in some spinach, or use different beans to create your own family version.
The Simple Things You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut cream or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or grated parmesan
- 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
My Trusted Kitchen Companions
Cast Iron Skillet
A good cast iron skillet really helps deepen the flavors in this dish and gives it that rustic, straight-from-the-hearth feel.
Wooden Spoon
I always reach for the wooden spoon my dad, James, carved for me; it feels like stirring memories into every meal.
Bringing It All to Life, Step by Step
First, a Fragrant Beginning
Heat the olive oil in your skillet over a medium flame. Add the minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Let them sizzle for just a minute until their wonderful aroma begins to fill your kitchen. Just be sure not to let the garlic burn!
Next, a Little Pop of Tuscan Sun
Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them cook for another two minutes. This little step coaxes out their sweet and tangy flavor, which adds so much beautiful depth to the sauce.
Letting the Flavors Mingle and Dance
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away softly for about 5 minutes. This gives the broth a chance to reduce just a bit and concentrate all those lovely flavors.
The Secret to a Silky, Dreamy Sauce
Now, stir in your coconut cream (or heavy cream) and the nutritional yeast (or parmesan). Let it continue to simmer for another 3–4 minutes. You’ll see the sauce transform, thickening into a beautiful, creamy consistency.
Welcoming the Heart of Our Dish
Gently add the drained and rinsed butter beans to the skillet. Stir them ever so carefully to coat them in that delicious sauce. Let them heat through for 4–5 minutes, giving them time to soak up the flavors.
A Final Whisper of Seasoning
Finish the dish by seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. The final, most important touch is a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, it truly brightens everything and makes the flavors sing.
Time to Gather ‘Round the Table
Give it one last gentle stir and garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley. I love to serve these Marry Me Beans piping hot with a side of crusty bread, perfect for dipping.
A Gentle Note on Nutrition
Please remember that the nutritional information provided for this recipe is just a heartfelt estimate. The actual values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use and your serving sizes.
For a Lighter, Brighter Bite
- A Softer Sauce: For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat oat milk or a lighter coconut milk. The sauce will be a little thinner, but just as lovely.
- Less Salt, More Love: Opt for a low-sodium vegetable broth and be mindful when you season, especially since parmesan (if using) brings its own saltiness.
- Wilt in Some Greens: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking. It’s a beautiful way to add extra goodness.
Ways We Love to Share This Meal
- With a Slice of Good Bread: My absolute favorite way to enjoy this is with a thick piece of warm, crusty bread. It’s essential for soaking up every last drop of that creamy Tuscan sauce.
- Over a Bed of Grains: Serve these creamy Butter Beans over fluffy quinoa, brown rice, or even soft polenta for a wonderfully complete and satisfying meal.
- As a Welcoming Side: This dish works beautifully as a side for simple grilled chicken or roasted fish. It’s a comforting partner to a quiet main course.
A Few Kind Words of Advice
- On Tending to the Garlic: Garlic can turn from fragrant to bitter in a heartbeat. Keep a loving eye on it and sauté for only a minute over medium heat until it just smells sweet.
- On Nurturing the Sauce: While you want the sauce to thicken, don’t let it simmer too hard or for too long, or it might become too thick. A gentle, patient simmer is all it needs.
- On the Magic of Lemon: Please don’t skip that final squeeze of lemon juice! It’s the little secret that cuts through the richness and awakens all the other flavors.
Keeping the Goodness for Later
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, just warm them gently in a saucepan over low heat. You might need to add a little splash of broth or water to bring the sauce back to its original creamy state.
From My Kitchen to Yours
I truly hope this simple dish brings as much warmth to your table as it does to mine. It’s more than just a Butter Beans Recipe; it’s a bowl full of comfort and love, ready to be shared. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy making your own sweet memories with it.
Your Questions, Answered with Love
Can I swap the butter beans for something else?
Yes, of course! While the large, creamy texture of butter beans is what makes this special, you could easily substitute them with cannellini or great northern beans in a pinch.
Will this dish keep well for leftovers?
It certainly will. In fact, the flavors might be even lovelier the next day! Just store it in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop when you’re ready for another cozy meal.
How can I make this dish completely plant-based?
It’s wonderfully easy to do. Simply be sure to use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of the parmesan cheese to keep it entirely and deliciously vegan.
Print
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A warm, cozy, and creamy butter beans dish inspired by Tuscan flavors—ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for weeknight comfort.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut cream or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or grated parmesan
- 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using); sauté for 1 minute without burning the garlic.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add coconut cream (or heavy cream) and nutritional yeast (or parmesan), simmer for 3–4 minutes until creamy.
- Add butter beans and stir gently to coat in the sauce. Simmer for 4–5 minutes until heated through.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute with full-fat oat milk. Add spinach or kale for extra greens. Pairs beautifully with crusty bread or grains. Leftovers keep well for 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: butter beans, creamy, marry me beans, Tuscan, vegan option, easy dinner