Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Fresh Basil Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans is a rich and flavorful vegetarian dish featuring tender butter beans simmered in a luscious creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, and fresh basil. This comforting recipe offers a perfect balance of savory and aromatic Italian-inspired flavors, making it great for a hearty lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for a vegan option
- 2 cans (15 oz each) butter beans rinsed and drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for a vegan version
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to release their flavors. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream or coconut cream.
- Add the Butter Beans: Gently fold in the rinsed and drained butter beans, making sure they are fully coated in the sauce. Let the beans simmer in the sauce for 5 to 7 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast. This will naturally thicken the sauce. Adjust the consistency by adding more broth if the sauce is too thick.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the dish for a burst of color and flavor. Garnish with extra basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Adjust the salt to your taste since Parmesan and broth can contain varying salt levels.
- Red pepper flakes are optional—add them if you prefer a little heat in your dish.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked pasta or rice for a more substantial meal.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add more richness and flavor.
