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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 full of 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!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 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!
- Butter Bean Blondies: A fudgy dessert that also uses butter beans!
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
Forgot to add that I used cannellini beans instead of butter beans. 😋
As is typical of Sarah’s recipes, this was delicious! I used Great Northern beans, as I do not like butter beans and served over rice.
Thanks so much for letting us know how it went, Michelle. Thrilled to hear that you loved it. Happy eating!
I know you specialize in primarily vegetarian cuisine, hence my constant presence finding recipes here, but one thing I would ask you to consider:
Parmesan is not, inherently, vegetarian. It is, most commonly, made from beef rennet – and persons with a beef allergy, like myself, or that simply prefer vegetarian foods for other reasons, have to source specialty ‘Vegetarian-Certified’ Parmesan.
So, just a consideration for your recipes, as many contain Parmesan: perhaps include a suggested alternate cheese (that, from your perspective as the recipe originator) which would still complement the flavor profile of the dish?
Most people don’t realize Parmesan isn’t vegetarian, so you could also help educate your audience. Besides those of us with allergic reactions, many ethical vegetarians would also appreciate the knowledge, as they could choose to incorporate that into their future food choices.
Thanks so much for the suggestion, Mara! That’s a great idea, it’s so common for people not to know.
This is one of my favorite meals now! I’ve adapted it to add sauteed mushrooms & onions. It’s delicious as is too, but I try to add veggies to all my meals, this is super good with a slice of fresh bread toasted.
That’s made my day, so glad you love the recipe Kathleen!
I finally made this recipe today. Had to make a couple substitutions to what I had in hand. It was amazing! My whole family wants it in the rotation now. Thanks so much.
So glad it turned out so well Angie!
Loved it. Tons of flavor.
Thanks for the kind words Shannon, happy eating!
Looks good!
Couldn’t find butter beans so I used lima. I added additional liquid and seasoning because they had to cook longer. They were delicious. I will absolutely make this again and again. Next time I will add more liquid and add spinach or another quick cooking veggie.
Appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, thank you!