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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Butter Beans

creamy one-pot tuscan butter beans - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot dish featuring creamy butter beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (about 14 oz) butter beans (canned or cooked), drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups (about 4.2 oz) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup (about 1.75 oz) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed or rehydrated dry-packed)
  • 3 tablespoons (about 1.5 oz) unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz) vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) heavy cream or half-and-half (optional, can substitute coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the butter beans, chop the sun-dried tomatoes, and roughly chop the spinach. Mince garlic and dice the onion. This prep should take about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan or deep skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the diced onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent and soft.
  3. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add the butter beans and pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Sprinkle in chopped fresh thyme, a pinch of red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently.
  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Uncover and stir in the chopped spinach. Let it wilt for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half, stirring until the sauce turns silky and creamy. For a lighter or dairy-free version, skip the cream or substitute with coconut milk.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If too thick, add a splash more broth or cream.
  10. Serve immediately, ideally with crusty bread or over cooked pasta.

Notes

Rinse canned butter beans well to reduce sodium and avoid mushy texture. Do not rush the simmer step to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken. Wilt spinach last to prevent overcooking. Adjust seasoning gradually due to salt in canned beans and broth. For vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil and cream with coconut or almond milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: butter beans, Tuscan recipe, one-pot meal, creamy beans, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-butter-beans-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner/