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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!
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
Absolutely love this!
Made some one substitution of chicken bullion instead of veggie and added in a protein pasta at the end to make it 31g Protein and 20g of fiber of perfection.
Thanks for this recipe that is going to be a staple for me.
Love it!! Happy eating!
This was so fast to make and so tasty. I ate mine over slices of a toasted baguette.
So happy you loved it, happy eating!
This serving size for one can feed the whole family! I used coconut cream…1/2 cup and I ran out of butter beans and added a can of cannellini beans. smells good!
Thanks for trying the recipe, hope it was a hit!
Does this recipe freeze well?
Ideally this one is best stored in the fridge! (3-4 days)
Delicious! I used Rancho Gordo Peruvian Lima beans, chicken broth and fresh lemon juice at the end. I did cut the beans by 40%. I’d serve it over a toasted baguette and the beans to get mushy and spreadable which I like.
So happy to hear it! Enjoy! 😀
I used cannellini beans instead, and added spinach and red pepper flakes right at the end. I am SO HAPPY with this and cannot wait to eat it for lunch this week. Thank you for the recipe! 🫶🏻
You just made my day, enjoy!
Super easy and delicious for a cheap quick meal, I added in a bag of frozen peas too
Yay!! So happy to hear it was a hit 🙂
Oh my goodness this is amazing! I used cannellini beans and didn’t realize the recipe called for cream cheese so I substituted with cottage cheese. This is a keeper! Thanks
Thanks for the kind words, happy eating!
This recipe is phenomenal! I found it on Pinterest while searching for vegetarian recipes and came straight to your website after trying it. This will be a regular dish – I’m obsessed.
Thrilled you loved it, thanks for the review!
This worked exactly as written, thanks! Great with some crusty sourdough and garlic from the garden!
Love hearing that, thanks Elyse!
I tried the recipe as I accidentally opened a can of cannellini beans and I didn’t know what to do with them. The recipe itself is very easy to make. The exact recipe is good. I would add a little salt in my opinion. I’m not a vegetarian but I like to try different recipes. I would make it again!
Thanks for making it and sharing!