Salad With A Spoon

These Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans are the ultimate cozy, one-pan meal. Tender butter beans simmer with garlic, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich, creamy sauce. The secret? Mashing some of the butter beans with the back of a spoon releases their starches, while blended cannellini beans create an extra creamy texture and add a boost of fiber and protein. Serve with crusty bread or your favorite crackers for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Why You’ll Love It

• Creamy without tons of cream: Mashing the butter beans and blending cannellini beans naturally thickens the sauce, creating a rich, velvety texture.
• Easy one-pan meal: Simple pantry staples come together in a cozy, flavorful skillet.
• Versatile and satisfying: Enjoy with crackers, scoop onto toasted bread, or finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Easy to customize: Add cooked sausage or shrimp for an extra boost of protein.

Nutrition Highlights

• Plant-based protein: Butter beans and cannellini beans provide protein to help make this meal satisfying.
• Fiber-rich: Both varieties of beans contribute dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps promote fullness.
• Nutrient-dense vegetables: Spinach adds folate, vitamin K, and other essential nutrients, while sun-dried tomatoes contribute concentrated tomato flavor and antioxidants.

Ingredients

• Olive oil, for sautéing
• Garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 can butter beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1½ cups chicken broth, divided
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 cups fresh spinach, washed
• Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, to taste
• Dried oregano, to taste
• Dried thyme, to taste
• Dried rosemary, to taste
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
• Crackers or crusty bread, for serving
• Cooked sausage or shrimp, optional

Instructions

1. Sauté the aromatics. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, cooking until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
2. Add the butter beans and seasonings. Stir in the drained and rinsed butter beans, oregano, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and cook briefly to allow the flavors to combine.
3. Mash some of the beans. Using the back of a spoon, gently mash a few butter beans directly in the skillet. This releases some of their starches, helping naturally thicken the sauce and create a creamier consistency.
4. Cover and cook. Cover the skillet and cook briefly over low heat while you prepare the cannellini bean mixture.
5. Blend the cannellini beans. Combine the drained and rinsed cannellini beans with 1 cup chicken broth and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Pour the mixture into the skillet and stir to combine. This adds another layer of creaminess while boosting the fiber and protein content of the dish.
6. Make it creamy. Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
7. Add the vegetables. Stir in the washed spinach and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Continue cooking until the spinach is wilted and everything is warmed through.
8. Customize and serve. If desired, stir in fully cooked sausage or shrimp and warm through. Spoon into a bowl and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy with crackers or a slice of crusty bread for dipping.

Meal Prep & Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce as needed.
• Make ahead: This dish is a great option for meal prep, as the flavors continue to develop after cooking. Store crackers or bread separately until serving.