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If you are craving a comforting, soul-warming dish that effortlessly blends rich flavors and creamy textures, you must try the Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe. This dish is a heavenly combination of tender butter beans bathed in a luscious, garlicky, sun-dried tomato and parmesan-infused sauce. The creamy Tuscan sauce brings a velvety touch while fresh spinach and fragrant basil add hints of garden-fresh brightness. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or impressing guests with a unique vegetarian main, this recipe becomes an instant favorite that feels fancy yet is incredibly simple to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that each play a vital role. From aromatic herbs to creamy dairy, everything comes together to build layers of flavor, color, and a rich texture you’ll crave bite after bite.
- Unsalted butter (2 Tbsp): Melts into a flavorful base that helps toast the garlic and spices perfectly.
- Garlic cloves (4, minced): Provides that essential savory punch that wakes up the entire dish.
- Salt, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika (½ tsp each): Create a fragrant and slightly smoky spice blend that elevates the beans.
- Ground black pepper (¼ tsp): Adds a subtle sharpness to balance the creaminess.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (½ cup, roughly chopped): Bring a tangy sweetness and chewy texture that contrast beautifully with the creamy sauce.
- Vegetable broth (½ to 1 cup): Adds depth and moisture, helping the beans absorb all the amazing flavors.
- Butter beans (2 cans, 15-oz each, drained): These tender beans are the star ingredient, delivering buttery softness and protein.
- Fresh spinach (1 cup, chopped): Introduces a fresh, slightly earthy note that brightens the dish.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): Creates the luscious texture that makes the sauce irresistibly creamy (half-and-half works for a lighter touch).
- Grated Parmesan (½ cup): Imparts savory umami and a delightful cheesy richness.
- Fresh basil (2 Tbsp, chopped): Finishes the dish with a fragrant herbal lift.
How to Make Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Build Your Flavor Foundation
Start by melting the unsalted butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic along with salt, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper. Let this mixture sizzle for about two minutes so the garlic becomes fragrant and the spices bloom beautifully. This sizzling base infuses every bite with warm, aromatic goodness that sets the tone for the entire dish.
Step 2: Add the Heart of the Dish
Next, toss in the sun-dried tomatoes and pour in the vegetable broth, starting with half a cup and adding more if needed for your preferred sauce consistency. Stir in the drained butter beans. Let everything cook uncovered on medium heat for five minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the broth to reduce slightly, intensifying that rich, savory profile.
Step 3: The Creamy Finish
Remove your pan from the heat and fold in the fresh spinach, stirring until it wilts gently into the mix. Then pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring steadily to combine until the sauce becomes silky and rich. Finally, stir in the fresh basil for a burst of herbal freshness. Serve this creamy, dreamy concoction warm, either spooned over crusty bread, fluffy rice, or pasta for a complete, satisfying meal.
How to Serve Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance the visual appeal and flavor by sprinkling extra freshly chopped basil or a little more grated Parmesan right before serving. A dash of crushed red pepper flakes on top adds a gentle kick for those who love a touch of heat. A light drizzle of high-quality olive oil can also add a glossy finish and subtle richness.
Side Dishes
This Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe pairs beautifully with crusty garlic bread to soak up every luscious drop. Alternatively, serve it on a bed of fluffy white or brown rice for a cozy bowl meal. For a glammed-up dinner, try tossing it with fettuccine or penne pasta and a side salad for freshness and crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming dinner party, serve the beans in rustic, shallow bowls and top with a sprig of basil and a wedge of lemon to brighten up each plate. You can also stuff the creamy mixture into roasted bell peppers or halved portobello mushrooms for an elegant twist that’s sure to impress guests. The versatility of this dish allows you to get creative without any extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. Properly stored, this dish will stay fresh for up to three days. The flavors may meld even more overnight, making for a tastier next-day meal.
Freezing
You can freeze the Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe, but it’s best to do so before adding the fresh spinach and basil, as they may become mushy. Freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to two months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to avoid scorching, and add a splash of vegetable broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much. Microwave reheating works too—heat in short increments, stirring in between to distribute heat evenly and preserve that creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use dried beans instead of canned butter beans?
Absolutely! Just remember to soak and cook the dried butter beans until tender before adding them to the recipe. This may add extra time, but the flavor and texture will be just as delightful.
Is there a non-dairy alternative for this recipe?
Yes! Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream and opt for nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan to keep the creamy, cheesy essence while making it dairy-free.
How spicy is this dish?
It has a mild to moderate kick from the crushed red pepper flakes, which you can easily adjust based on your preference. Feel free to reduce or omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer less heat.
Can this be made vegan?
Definitely! Use vegan butter, plant-based cream alternatives like cashew cream, and vegan Parmesan substitutes or nutritional yeast to keep it deliciously creamy and dairy-free without sacrificing flavor.
What’s the best way to serve this for a dinner party?
Serve the Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe in individual shallow bowls with a garnish of fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Offer crusty bread or a simple salad on the side to round out the meal elegantly yet comfortably.
Final Thoughts
This Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe is a true labor of love that feels luxurious yet is incredibly easy to pull off. The blend of buttery beans, creamy sauce, and vibrant herbs creates a dish you’ll want to make again and again. Trust me, once you try it, it might just become your new go-to comfort food for sharing with loved ones or savoring alone on a cozy evening.
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Marry Me Butter Beans with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Marry Me Butter Beans is a creamy Tuscan-inspired dish featuring tender butter beans simmered in a fragrant garlic and herb butter base, enriched with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy parmesan sauce. Perfect as a comforting main or hearty side, this recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop for a warm, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Butter Bean Base
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (28 g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Bean & Vegetable Mix
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
- ½ to 1 cup vegetable broth (120 to 236 mL)
- 2 15-oz cans butter beans (aka lima beans), drained (425 g each)
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream (can substitute half-and-half) (236 mL)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Flavor Base: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large sauté pan or pot over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon each of salt, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika, plus ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant, forming a flavorful aromatic base.
- Fillings: Stir in ½ cup of roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with ½ to 1 cup of vegetable broth. Add 2 drained 15-ounce cans of butter beans. Continue to cook uncovered on medium heat for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to heat through.
- Finish: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in 1 cup chopped fresh spinach until just wilted. Then, fold in 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil. Mix gently until combined and creamy. Serve the butter beans warm with crusty bread, over rice, or pasta as desired.
Notes
- Vegetable broth amount can be adjusted between ½ to 1 cup depending on desired sauce consistency.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy depth; if unavailable, roasted red peppers can be used as a substitute.
- Best served immediately for optimal creaminess and flavor, but leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
