Ingredients
For the Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Butter Beans:
- 1 can (15 oz) butter beans, drained and rinsed (or 1½ cups cooked butter beans)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
For the Creamy Sauce:
- ½ cup heavy cream (or canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version)
- ¼ cup vegetable broth (or water, for a lighter sauce)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan or extra sun-dried tomatoes
- Crusty bread for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and smoked paprika.
- Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
Step 2: Cook the Butter Beans
- Add butter beans and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the beans to absorb the flavors.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
- Pour in the heavy cream and vegetable broth, stirring well.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
Step 4: Add the Spinach
- Add chopped spinach to the skillet.
- Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve warm with crusty bread, pasta, or rice.
- Enjoy the creamy, garlicky goodness in every bite!
Notes
Tips for the Best Tuscan Butter Beans
✔ Use High-Quality Beans – Canned butter beans work well, but cooked-from-scratch beans have the best texture.
✔ Don’t Overcook the Spinach – Add it at the very end to keep it bright and fresh.
✔ Adjust the Creaminess – Add more vegetable broth for a thinner sauce or more Parmesan for extra richness.
✔ Make It Vegan – Use coconut milk instead of cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
✔ Use Fresh Garlic – It adds a stronger, more aromatic flavor than garlic powder.