Marry Me Butter Beans
Marry Me Butter Beans are rich, creamy, and the best comfort food! With tender butter beans simmered in a delicious garlic cream sauce with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and herbs. Every bite is cozy, savory, and comforting – the kind of simple-but-special dish that always disappears fast. Serve it with crusty bread, spoon it over pasta, or enjoy it straight from the bowl!
Marry Me Butter Beans
Awhile back I shared Marry Me Chicken Pasta and that recipe is to-die-for. But I figured that combo of flavors would also be delicious with a side dish. And I was right. If the chicken recipe is a hit for you – the Marry Me Buttr Beans recipe will be just as popular!
Popular enough for a marriage proposal? Why not?! But really we just make them because we love good food.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Marry Me Butter Beans check all the boxes for the ultimate comfort food. The creamy beans are loaded with flavor without being heavy and hearty enough to serve as a main dish or substantial side for a weeknight dinner.
And for the record – beans would never be the main dish at my house but if that works for you – then by all means!!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Just a handful of quality ingredients come together to create something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Why butter beans? Well, butter beans have a natural creamy texture and have a mild, buttery flavor that soaks up all the delicious garlic, herbs, and cheese.
Unlike some bean dishes that can feel one-dimensional, this recipe has layers of flavor from the delicious sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, fresh basil, and parmesan. A couple of cans of beans go from bland to perfection with just a few common ingredients.
Plus, this is one of those versatile recipes that works for so many occasions. Serve it as a cozy dinner for two, make it for a family meal, or double the batch for a potluck.
It’s vegetarian-friendly already and you can make Marry Me Butter Beans vegan with a few simple swaps. This Tuscan Marry Me Butter Beans pairs beautifully with everything from crusty bread to pasta to grilled chicken.
What are Butter Beans?
Butter beans are simply large, mature lima beans, known for their soft, creamy texture and mild, slightly nutty flavor. When cooked, they become tender and almost buttery, which is how they got their name – especially here in the South, where “butter beans” is a more common name than lima beans .
Their comforting texture makes them perfect for soups, stews, and creamy sauces, adding heartiness without overpowering the other flavors in a dish.
What is a Substitute for Butter Beans?
If you don’t have butterbeans on hand, there are a few substitutions that work and still carry the creamy sauce well.
Best butter bean substitutes:
There are a few types of beans you can use instead of butter beans.
- Cannellini beans (white kidney beans): The closest swap. These white beans are creamy, mild, and hold up beautifully in rich sauces.
- Great Northern beans: Slightly smaller but still tender and neutral, making them an easy 1:1 substitute.
- Navy beans: Very soft and creamy when cooked, though a bit smaller and more delicate.
- Gigante beans: Large, buttery, and luxurious if you can find them -an excellent alternative but harder to find in stores.
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): Firmer with more bite, but Marry Me Chickpeas are still delicious if you want a heartier texture.
Tip: For the creamiest result, warm the beans gently in the sauce and avoid over-stirring so they don’t break down too much.
Tools Needed
- Large skillet or wide saucepan (a Dutch oven works great)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
You likely have most of these pantry staples already. If not, they’re easy to find in any grocery store.
- Olive oil
- Garlic, minced
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Sundried tomatoes, chopped
- Vegetable stock or broth
- Heavy cream
- Butter beans, drained and rinsed
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh baby spinach
- Fresh basil, chopped
Find the complete recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Marry Me Butter Beans
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the minced garlic, cooking gently until fragrant.
- Add the Italian seasoning and smoked paprika and stir to bloom the spices.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then slowly pour in the vegetable broth while stirring to keep the sauce smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Add the butter beans, salt, and black pepper and gently stir to coat them in the sauce.
- Simmer the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce until the beans are heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the spinach and cook on a low simmer just until wilted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil before serving.
- Enjoy!!
Pro Tips for the Best Marry Me Butter Beans
- Use good-quality butter beans for the creamiest texture.
- Do not rush the garlic or it may burn.
- Stir constantly when adding broth to avoid lumps.
- Keep the heat gentle once cream is added.
- Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.
- Add spinach at the very end to keep it vibrant.
- Taste before serving and adjust salt as needed.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- The creamy Tuscan sauce thickens as it rests, so let it sit briefly.
- A squeeze of lemon juice before serving adds brightness if desired.
- For a little extra flavor and spice, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently over low heat for a couple of minutes, adding a splash of water, broth, or cream if needed.
FAQ
Yes, but cook them fully before adding to the sauce.
You can use coconut cream or any plant-based cream and a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
Cooked chicken breasts, shrimp, or sausage pair well with this dish.
Cream-based sauces do not freeze well, so freezing is not recommended.
Crusty bread, pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables all work beautifully.
This recipe is already vegetarian. But yes, use almond milk or coconut milk instead of cream and a vegan parmesan for a vegan version.
More Delicious Recipes
Marry Me Butter Beans
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cans (15 ounces each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the garlic, cooking gently until fragrant.
- Add the Italian seasoning and smoked paprika and stir to bloom the spices.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, then slowly pour in the vegetable broth while stirring to keep the sauce smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Add the butter beans, salt, and black pepper and gently stir to coat them in the sauce.
- Simmer until the beans are heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the spinach and cook just until wilted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil before serving.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Use good-quality butter beans for the creamiest texture.
- Do not rush the garlic or it may burn.
- Stir constantly when adding broth to avoid lumps.
- Keep the heat gentle once cream is added.
- Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.
- Add spinach at the very end to keep it vibrant.
- Taste before serving and adjust salt as needed.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- This dish thickens as it rests, so let it sit briefly.
- A squeeze of lemon before serving adds brightness if desired.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cool Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
