Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe

ByJulia
Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 20 reviews

If you’re anything like me and love cozy, comforting dishes that feel like a warm hug, then this Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe is going to rock your kitchen. It’s rich, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to whip up on any night. The blend of garlic, sundried tomatoes, and Parmesan creates this luscious sauce that coats the butter beans perfectly. Trust me, once you make this, it’s going to become a fast favorite—I love serving it over rice or with crusty bread to soak every bit of that creamy goodness.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Simple, Quality Ingredients: Using good butter beans, fresh kale, and authentic seasonings creates rich flavor with minimal fuss.
  • Creamy, Yet Light Sauce: The balance of heavy cream and veggie stock keeps it indulgent but not heavy.
  • Versatile and Quick: Ready in about 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected guests arrive.
  • Perfect for Plant-Forward Eaters: It’s hearty and filling without relying on meat, ideal for vegetarians or anyone looking to eat veggies with more flavor.
Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans, Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans recipe, healthy Tuscan butter beans dish, easy creamy bean recipe, hearty vegetarian dinner - A red skillet filled with a thick orange creamy sauce containing white beans, green herb pieces, red cherry tomatoes, and darker brown sun-dried tomato strips. A wooden spatula is partly submerged on the right side of the skillet, stirring the sauce. To the left, there is a white plate with toasted garlic bread slices and another white plate with fresh green leafy salad. A beige cloth is placed under the skillet handle on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe combines ingredients that complement each other beautifully — the butter beans are silky and creamy, sundried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy surprise, and kale brings a fresh, slightly earthy note. Each piece works together to give you comforting, layered flavors.

Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans, Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans recipe, healthy Tuscan butter beans dish, easy creamy bean recipe, hearty vegetarian dinner - Flat lay of fresh butter beans in a simple white ceramic bowl, a few whole garlic cloves with clean skins, a small white bowl of organic sundried tomatoes, a small white bowl of rich organic tomato paste, a small white bowl of unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl of freshly grated parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of chopped organic kale, a small white bowl of organic heavy cream, a small white bowl of organic vegetable stock, a small white bowl of clear white cooking wine, half a fresh lemon cut to show the juicy interior, and a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997
  • Butter beans: These beans have a velvety texture perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
  • Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps develop flavor with the garlic.
  • Garlic cloves: Essential for that signature savory depth in Tuscan dishes.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Packed with concentrated tomato flavor and a touch of sweetness.
  • Tomato paste: Boosts umami and thickens the sauce slightly.
  • Tuscan Marry Me blend: This blend of herbs and spices gives it an authentic kick; you can buy premade or DIY.
  • Sea salt: To enhance all the delicious flavors.
  • Heavy cream: Creates that luscious, creamy consistency that coats every bean.
  • Vegetable stock: Adds depth without overpowering the dish.
  • White cooking wine: Brings brightness and a subtle acidity; you can swap with extra stock if preferred.
  • Fresh lemon juice: The final touch to balance richness with a refreshing zing.
  • Kale: Adds texture, color, and a healthy dose of greens.
  • Parmesan cheese: For that nutty, salty finish that makes the sauce irresistible.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I’ve found this recipe pretty perfect as is, but I’m all about making dishes your own. Sometimes I swap kale for spinach or toss in a handful of fresh herbs like basil when I have them on hand. Feel free to get creative — it’s such a forgiving recipe!

  • Variation: Swap butter beans for cannellini or butter beans soaked from dried for a homemade touch — the texture changes slightly, but still delicious.
  • Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan — great for those avoiding dairy.
  • Add protein: Stir in cooked chicken or tofu cubes if you want to bulk it up a bit more.
  • Spicy kick: Add a sprinkle of red chili flakes with the garlic if you like a little heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the garlic and build your base

Start by melting the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once melted and fragrant, add the minced garlic and stir it around for about a minute until it’s golden and aromatic — just be careful not to burn it. Then sprinkle in your Tuscan Marry Me blend and salt, letting those spices bloom in the warm butter. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste so they get evenly coated and introduce that delicious depth.

Step 2: Make your creamy Tuscan sauce

Turn the heat down to medium-low and slowly pour in the heavy cream, vegetable stock, fresh lemon juice, and white wine. Stir gently to combine and let it bubble slightly—this helps the flavors meld and the sauce to start thickening. After a couple of minutes, whisk in the grated Parmesan until it melts and the sauce is luxuriously thick and cheesy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Add the greens and beans

Toss in the chopped kale and stir until it wilts just a little, then add your drained butter beans. Let the whole thing simmer gently for 5-6 minutes, allowing the beans to absorb some of that gorgeous sauce and soften up until they’re tender and easy to mash with the back of your spoon.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy!

Once everything’s melded together and the kale is tender, remove from heat. Serve your creamy butter beans over rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside some crisp garlic bread to soak up all that sauce. Don’t forget a final sprinkle of Parmesan on top if you want to make it extra special.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe

  • Use quality sundried tomatoes: The difference between good and not-so-good sun-dried tomatoes is huge—choose oil-packed ones or rehydrate dry tomatoes well.
  • Don’t rush the sauce thickening: Let the Parmesan melt slowly into the cream mixture for the creamiest texture.
  • Wilt kale last: This keeps it bright green and slightly crisp instead of mushy.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning: Always check salt and acidity before serving to balance flavors perfectly.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans, Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans recipe, healthy Tuscan butter beans dish, easy creamy bean recipe, hearty vegetarian dinner - A black skillet filled with creamy orange sauce layered with white beans and pieces of darker browned meat, scattered with fresh green herbs and bright red cherry tomatoes on top; on the right inside the skillet, there are two slices of toasted bread, one whole and one broken, showing a soft inside with green herbs; the skillet is placed on a white marbled surface with small green sprigs scattered around, a brown textured cloth with a gold fork and knife to the side, and parts of other dishes visible at the edges, all well lit. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping this with extra freshly-grated Parmesan for that salty hit, and sometimes a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness. A crack of black pepper adds a nice finishing touch too.

Side Dishes

For sides, I usually keep it simple — creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy white rice are perfect for soaking up the sauce. Roasted garlic bread is another favorite to add crunch and soak up every last bite. And if I want to up the veggie factor, a fresh green salad with a lemon vinaigrette pairs really nicely alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I sometimes serve this dish in shallow bowls with a drizzle of good olive oil and a few whole sun-dried tomato halves artfully arranged on top. You could also serve it in small ramekins as a warm appetizer alongside crusty bread slices — it always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop a bit more overnight! Just give it a good stir before reheating to bring everything back together.

Freezing

Freezing works pretty well for this recipe. Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little room for expansion, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

I usually reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of vegetable stock or water if it seems too thick. Microwave works fine too—just stir halfway through heating to keep it creamy and smooth.

FAQs

  1. Can I use canned beans instead of dried?

    Absolutely! Canned butter beans are a convenient shortcut and work perfectly in this recipe. Just be sure to drain and rinse them well to remove excess sodium or preservatives. If you prefer dried beans, soaking and cooking them yourself gives a slightly firmer texture but takes longer.

  2. What’s the Tuscan Marry Me blend, and can I make it at home?

    Tuscan Marry Me blend is a mix of herbs and spices typical to Tuscan cooking like rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and sometimes red pepper flakes. You can buy it premade or easily mix your own using common dried herbs. It’s the magic that gives this dish its authentic, comforting flavor.

  3. Can I make this recipe vegan?

    Yes! Use a plant-based butter substitute, coconut or cashew cream instead of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. Also, make sure your vegetable stock is vegan-friendly. The dish will still have that creamy, comforting feel you love.

  4. What can I serve with Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans?

    This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, crusty garlic bread, or a simple green salad. For a heartier meal, grilled vegetables or roasted chicken also work well. It’s quite versatile!

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe really feels like a little treasure in my cooking repertoire — it’s quick, hearty, and full of comforting flavor that hits the spot every time. I’m excited for you to try it and make it your own because dishes like this remind me how easy it is to bring simple ingredients together and create something truly special. Grab your skillet, some good butter beans, and get ready to enjoy a creamy, dreamy taste of Tuscany right at home!

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Creamy Tuscan Butter Beans Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 20 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Tuscan
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This creamy Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Butter Beans recipe features tender butter beans simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce made with sundried tomatoes, garlic, kale, and parmesan, perfect as a comforting vegetarian main or side dish.

Ingredients

Butter Beans

  • 2 (15 oz.) cans butter beans, drained and rinsed

Creamy Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup organic sundried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon organic tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Tuscan Marry Me blend
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup organic heavy cream
  • ½ cup organic vegetable stock
  • 3 tablespoons white cooking wine
  • ½ lemon, freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup chopped kale, organic
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Butter Beans: Drain and rinse the butter beans under cold water and set aside.
  2. Start the Sauce: In a medium skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until fully melted.
  3. Sauté Garlic and Seasonings: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the Tuscan Marry Me blend and sea salt until evenly combined.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Paste: Mix in the sundried tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring well to combine all the flavors.
  5. Incorporate Liquids: Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly pour in the heavy cream, vegetable stock, lemon juice, and white wine, stirring continuously until smooth. Let the sauce gently bubble for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Thicken Sauce with Parmesan: Whisk in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Add Kale and Beans: Stir in the chopped kale until combined, then fold in the drained butter beans.
  8. Simmer to Finish: Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-6 minutes, allowing the beans to warm through and soften, slightly mashing the beans if desired for creaminess.
  9. Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat and serve immediately with your favorite sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or garlic bread. Garnish with additional grated parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute dry butter beans soaked overnight for canned beans, but cooking time will be longer.
  • The Tuscan Marry Me blend can be homemade by combining Italian herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme if you don’t have the premade blend.
  • White cooking wine can be omitted or replaced with extra vegetable stock for a non-alcoholic version.
  • For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
  • This recipe pairs well with garlic bread, steamed vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a well-rounded meal.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 580 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg

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