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Marry Me Beans Recipe

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4.1 from 24 reviews

Marry Me Beans is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender cannellini beans simmered with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. This quick and comforting recipe is perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal in under 30 minutes and pairs wonderfully with toasted bread.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
  • 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped, plus 1 Tablespoon reserved oil)
  • 3 15-ounce cans cannellini beans (or butter beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Greens & Dairy

  • 2 cups spinach
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Finishing Touches & Seasoning

  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, julienned

Serving Suggestion

  • Toasted bread (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 1 Tablespoon of the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, roughly 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to develop flavor.
  2. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in 1 cup of vegetable stock and deglaze the pan by scraping any browned bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon to incorporate deep flavor into the sauce.
  3. Add Beans and Seasonings: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained cannellini beans, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors.
  4. Incorporate Spinach and Cream: Add the fresh spinach leaves and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir regularly until the spinach wilts fully and the sauce is creamy and combined.
  5. Finish the Dish: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest for brightness. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Top with julienned fresh basil leaves. Serve warm, optionally with toasted bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes lends extra richness; drain but reserve the oil for cooking.
  • Can substitute chickpeas or butter beans for cannellini beans without changing the cooking process.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan.
  • Serve with crusty toasted bread to enjoy a fully-rounded meal.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/marry-me-beans-recipe/