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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
I love these! I personally don’t love greens (texture issues) so I added a diced tomato and half a onion to up the veggies.
Glad you enjoyed it Molly, thanks for the review!
Just what I needed for a quick filling lunch! Yum!!!
This is insanely good! Thanks for the recipe.
I have made this and it is so tasty! Since I am on a GLP-1 now this will definitely help with my fiber and protein intake!
Made these today, absolutely delicious! Will definitely make them again.
Gorgeous recipe and reminiscent of a creamy pasta dish.
So thrilled to hear you loved it. Thanks so much for dropping back in to let us know how it went. Happy eating!
We loved it. Made it just as written and served it with couscous on the side. Did add some cayenne as a noted option.
So glad you enjoyed it Pati, thanks for your review!
It really is as fast, easy, and tasty as advertised. I have taken to eating it scooped up on crackers.
(Also, once in a pinch a tried making it with cannellini beans instead of butter beans – know that it throws off the ratios. I’d sub one can of small beans for the two cans of butter beans if you need to, or else you will need to add a lot more of everything else to compensate, including the seasoning or it will end up a little bland and uninspiring compared to the real deal)
I’m so thrilled to hear that you loved the recipe, and thanks for letting us know how it went with that substitution, Elena! Happy eating!
Hi!
Just curious if chicken broth would be fine here too – I know most if not all of your recipes are vegetarian but was just curious if it would mess up the flavor? I have chicken broth on hand but could get veggie broth, no problem. Thank you so much for your recipes – they’re a godsend. I am a picky eater AND vegetarian who struggles to get protein but your recipes have given me hope!
Yep, chicken broth would work. No need to go buy additional broth! Happy eating!
So delicious! I dropped eggs into little wells formed in the beans right at the end, garnished with some hummus and Greek yogurt, and it may be l what I have for breakfast again tomorrow. Thank you!
So pumped you loved it Tera!