Butter Beans Recipe Creamy Tuscan One Pot Weeknight Dinner

The weeknight dinner struggle is real. After a long day, the last thing you want is a complicated recipe that leaves you with a mountain of dishes. You crave something comforting, delicious, and maybe even a little impressive, but you need it to be fast and easy. It’s that familiar cycle of searching for quick vegetarian meals only to land on the same uninspired options.

You’re looking for that perfect balance: a satisfying, hearty meal that feels special but comes together in a flash. You want rich, savory Tuscan flavors—the kind you’d expect from a cozy Italian restaurant—without spending hours over the stove. The goal is a one-pot weeknight dinner that delivers maximum flavor with minimum fuss and cleanup.

After testing countless quick dinner ideas, this one-pot wonder has become my go-to for a reason—it delivers maximum flavor with minimum fuss. This Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans recipe is the ultimate one-pot weeknight dinner. It features large, creamy beans simmered in a savory sun-dried tomato and garlic sauce, finished with spinach and Parmesan. It’s a hearty, vegetarian meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this viral “marry me” butter beans recipe is a simple, four-step process. You will sauté aromatics, create the sauce, simmer the beans, and finish with fresh greens and cheese. We’ve perfected the balance of flavors and the technique for the creamiest sauce, so you can confidently recreate this viral dish in your own kitchen, even if you’re a beginner cook.

@liveeatlearn

If you’ve got a can of butter beans, you’re halfway to dinner already! The ingredient list is a lot of pantry staples (keep them on hand for easy last-minute dinners!): · 2 Tbsp unsalted butter · 4 cloves garlic · 1 tsp Italian seasoning · ½ tsp ground black pepper · ½ tsp smoked paprika · 1 cup vegetable broth · 4 oz cream cheese · 2 15-oz cans butter beans · ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese The full recipe is at the link in my profile (or go here: https://www.liveeatlearn.com/garlic-parmesan-butter-beans/)

♬ Monky Disco – Babe Rainbow

1. Gather Your Ingredients & Build the Flavor Base

The critical first step is to build the dish’s foundational flavor by sautéing your aromatics and spices until they are fragrant. This process, often called “sweating,” coaxes out the deep, savory notes from the garlic, shallots, and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a rich base for the entire dish.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomato jar)
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans butter beans, rinsed (or use liquid for extra creaminess)
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for vegan)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or vegan alternative)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped shallots and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant, allowing the spices to “sweat” and release their flavor.

Pro-Tip: Using the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar infuses the entire dish with a deeper, richer umami flavor right from the start.

Pin this ingredient list for your next grocery run!

2. Create the Rich and Creamy Tuscan Sauce

The secret to the signature velvety sauce is to deglaze the pan with broth and then slowly stir in the heavy cream. This technique combines the liquid elements while lifting all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, ensuring every bit of savory goodness is incorporated into the final sauce.

• Materials Needed:
  • Skillet with flavor base from Step 1
  • Whisk or wooden spoon
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Pour the vegetable broth into the skillet, using your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this is called deglazing and adds tons of flavor).
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream (or coconut milk), stirring continuously until the sauce is well combined.
  4. Season with salt and black pepper to your preference. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Lesson Learned: Don’t boil the sauce after adding the cream, as high heat can sometimes cause dairy to separate. A gentle, steady simmer is all you need to create that perfect velvety texture.

Save this sauce technique for your next creamy pasta dish!

3. Simmer the Butter Beans to Perfection

To get the beans perfectly creamy and flavorful, you must simmer them gently in the Tuscan sauce for 5-7 minutes. This gives the beans enough time to heat through completely and absorb all the rich, savory flavors of the sauce, which will also thicken naturally as it simmers.

• Materials Needed:
  • Skillet with Tuscan sauce
  • Spoon or potato masher
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Add the two cans of rinsed butter beans to the simmering Tuscan sauce.
  2. Stir gently to coat the beans completely.
  3. Allow the beans to simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, which gives them time to heat through and absorb all the delicious flavors. The sauce will also naturally thicken during this time.

Pro-Tip: For an even creamier, thicker sauce, use the back of a spoon to gently mash about 1/4 of the beans against the side of the skillet. This releases their natural starches and creates an incredibly luscious texture without any extra ingredients.

Love hearty bean recipes? Pin this for later!

4. Finish with Spinach, Parmesan & Fresh Basil

The final step to complete this dish is to stir in the fresh spinach, Parmesan, and basil after turning off the heat. This method gently wilts the spinach without overcooking it, melts the cheese into a creamy finish, and preserves the bright, aromatic flavor of the fresh basil.

• Materials Needed:
  • Skillet with simmered beans and sauce
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Turn off the heat.
  2. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in large handfuls, gently stirring it into the hot sauce until it has just wilted. This should only take about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it extra creamy and savory.
  4. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Pro-Tip: Add the fresh basil after turning off the heat. This preserves its bright, herbaceous flavor and aroma, which can be diminished by too much direct cooking.

Share this finished dish with a friend who needs a new weeknight dinner!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect Tuscan Butter Beans

• One-Pot Wonder: The entire meal, from sautéing to simmering, comes together in a single skillet for minimal cleanup.
• Flavor is Layered: Build flavor by first sweating the aromatics and spices before adding liquids.
• Creaminess is Key: Use heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for richness. Mash a few beans to naturally thicken the sauce even more.
• Finish Fresh: Add delicate greens like spinach and fresh herbs like basil at the very end, off the heat, to preserve their color and flavor.
• Serve it Your Way: Perfect with crusty bread for dipping, over pasta, or alongside rice.

People Also Ask About This Butter Beans Recipe

What are butter beans? Are they the same as lima beans?

Yes, butter beans and lima beans are the same thing! “Butter bean” is a common name, especially in the American South and the UK, for a large, creamy, mature lima bean. They are prized for their rich, buttery texture, which makes them perfect for creamy dishes like this Tuscan-style recipe.

Can I make this butter beans recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make it vegan and dairy-free, simply swap the heavy cream for full-fat canned coconut milk and use a vegan Parmesan alternative. The coconut milk provides a similar richness, and a good quality vegan cheese or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast will give you that cheesy, umami flavor.

What can I serve with Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans?

This dish is incredibly versatile. For a simple and satisfying meal, serve it with a side of crusty bread or sourdough for dipping up every last drop of the sauce. It’s also delicious served over a bed of fluffy rice, quinoa, or short pasta like shells or rigatoni.

How long do leftovers last and what’s the best way to reheat them?

Leftovers will last for up to 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results, reheat gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so you may want to add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it back to its original consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans recipe proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create a truly memorable meal. It’s comfort in a bowl, ready when you need it most.

What’s your favorite one-pot dinner hack? Share your ideas in the comments below