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Meet your new go-to easy weeknight bean recipe! My garlic parmesan butter beans are ridiculously simple to prep (we’re talking 20 minutes) but packed with slow-simmered flavors. It’s the low-effort, high-reward vegetarian dinner of your dreams.
If you loved my viral marry me butter beans or creamy lemon pepper chickpeas, this recipe is for you.
save this recipe!This creamy butter bean skillet is the coziest, dreamiest dish you can make in one pan.
Seriously, if you’ve got a can of butter beans, you’re halfway to dinner already! A quick sauté here, a stir there, and you’re done in under 30 minutes. Bonus: it’s super rich in fiber and plant-based protein to keep you full and satisfied for hours!
Next Level Beans
- Comforting Yet Healthy: The cheesy, garlicky sauce and tender butter beans deliver big comfort-food vibes without weighing you down.
- So Versatile: These creamy butter beans are tasty as a main course (perfect with crusty bread) or an elegant holiday side with steamed veggies. They’re even great as a pasta topping!
Reader rating
P.S. If you love this quick skillet recipe, try my Marry Me Butter Beans or Fennel Braised Butter Beans next!
Key Ingredients
This easy butter beans recipe comes together with a short list of pantry staples and fresh ingredients—what’s not to love? Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Butter Beans: These tender, creamy legumes are packed with protein and have a mild flavor that is perfect for absorbing the savory seasonings and rich sauce. You may also see these called lima beans!
- Savory Seasonings: Minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and black pepper pack a flavor punch, while smoked paprika adds a subtle, smoky depth.
- Vegetable Broth: For the best taste, use a high-quality, low-sodium vegetable broth (or make your own veggie broth from kitchen scraps).
- Cream Cheese: We’ll use cream cheese to create the creamy sauce. You could also use heavy cream in a pinch, or coconut milk for a plant-based alternative.
- Parmesan: for an umami-rich finishing touch. Opt for freshly grated parmesan, which has a fresher flavor than pre-grated.
Butter Bean Swap
When using butter beans (also called large lima beans), look for cans labeled “butter beans” near the other canned beans. If you can’t find them, cannellini beans, navy beans, or even chickpeas make an easy substitution!
Let’s Make one-pot creamy beans
These Italian-style butter beans couldn’t be easier—just one pot, a quick simmer, and you’re done in 20! This is an overview of the recipe. Jump to the recipe card for the full printable recipe.
- Create the flavor base by sautéing the garlic and seasonings in butter.
- Simmer the beans in broth and cream cheese until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and serve warm!
Plays Well With…
This comforting white bean dinner is even better with more Italian-style dishes. Here are three of our go-to options!
- Parsley Salad: Add a refreshing contrast to the creamy beans with this Mediterranean-inspired salad.
- Miso Butter Pasta: The creaminess of the beans pairs so well with the umami-rich sauce and hearty pasta!
If you love the flavors in this one, try my Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Casserole next!
20-Minute Creamy Garlic Parmesan Butter Beans
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, 28 g
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup vegetable broth, 236 mL
- 4 oz cream cheese, 113 g
- 2 15-oz cans butter beans, 425 g each
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese, 40 g
Instructions
- Flavor Base: In a large saute pan or medium pot, melt 2 Tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp ground black pepper, and ½ tsp smoked paprika. Cook until garlic is a bit soft and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Simmer: Stir in 1 cup vegetable broth and 4 oz cream cheese, stirring until cream cheese is fully melted in. Stir in 2 15-oz cans butter beans (drained). Let gently simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Serve: Stir in ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese and serve warm!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!Hungry for more recipes with butter beans? Try these easy recipes with beans that aren’t boring (here are four of my personal favs):
Creamy Lemon Pepper Butter Beans Skillet
20 minutes
Creamy Pesto Butter Beans
30 minutes
Crispy Roasted Tahini Butter Beans
35 minutes
Made it several times now, and my wife and I love it! Pairs amazing with some crusty texas toast or even over rice. Sauteing some onion with the garlic is also great.
Love hearing that, thanks for trying it Logan!
This was so quick and easy to make and very delicious. I did add a chopped onion to the garlic and seasonings, only because there were multiple recipes, similar to this one, and I had already chopped up the onion before I was finally able to access this recipe. My husband loved it, and I actually doubled the recipe and took some to my daughter’s family of 6. She said “everyone liked it;” which included husband, 3 teens and a 9 yr. old. It’s a keeper, to be sure.
Thanks for the sweet review, so glad they all enjoyed it!
This is the 2nd recipe of yours that I’ve made.
Added chilli flakes and spinach at the end.
OMG. Soooooo tasty.
This is going on my my plans for the autumn and winter
Thank you x
Amazing! So glad it was a hit Alex, can’t wait for you to try more!
This is the 2nd recipe of yours that I’ve made.
Added chilli flakes and spinach at the end then topped it with an avocado
OMG. Soooooo tasty.
This is going on my food plans for the autumn and winter
.
Thank you x
I’ve made this many times for myself and my friends and everyone loves it. But this does in no way make 4 servings. This makes 2, at least if you’re feeding grown men. I was a little disappointed when i thought i had meal prepped 4 days worth of food and it turned out to only last 2 unless i wanted to go to bed hungry. Other than that, incredibly flavourful, and a great way to get fiber and protein. I often eat it with prata.
Thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback Dan!
So good! Not a big fan of butter beans, but with this sauce I could eat it with rocks! I will try with Great Northern beans next time just for my preference! I will be making this again and passing the recipe along to my daughter!
So glad it hit the spot Katie, thanks for sharing!
what is a serving?
A serving is just one-fourth of the entire recipe. Happy eating!