Description
Marry Me Butter Beans is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender butter beans simmered in a fragrant blend of herbs, spices, and vegetable broth, finished with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for a rich, comforting side or main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté onion: Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent, releasing its natural sweetness.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add spices: Sprinkle dried thyme, dried rosemary, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring well to combine and release their aromas.
- Pour vegetable broth: Add 2 cups of vegetable broth to the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer to blend the flavors.
- Add butter beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed butter beans, incorporating them carefully into the broth and spices.
- Simmer: Let the beans and broth simmer for 8 to 10 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly and fully develop flavors.
- Incorporate cream: Lower the heat and gently stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream until thoroughly blended with the sauce for a creamy texture.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
- Season: Taste the beans and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference.
- Garnish: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley over the beans just before serving for a fresh finish.
- Serve: Serve the creamy butter beans hot as a comforting side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream and use a vegan Parmesan alternative.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the level of heat according to taste.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a brighter herbaceous flavor, adding them at the end of cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop to avoid breaking the cream sauce.
