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A close-up of cooked butter beans and cherry tomatoes mixed with green pesto sauce, with a metal spoon partially visible.
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5 from 4 ratings

Creamy Pesto Butter Beans Skillet (6 Ingredients)

These creamy pesto butter beans are the ultimate one-pan vegetarian dinner–cozy, quick, and made with just 6 ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, no oven required!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Keyword: pesto butter beans
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Occasion: 4th of July, Birthdays, Valentine's Day
Time: 30 minutes or less, 45 minutes or less
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Sarah Bond

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil 30 mL
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 oz cream cheese can use vegan option, 113 g
  • ½ cup pesto can use vegan option, 120 g
  • 2 15-oz cans butter beans drain and reserve the juice from the cans, 425 g cans
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes cut half of them in half, 350 g

Instructions

  • Sauce: Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium/low heat in a large skillet. Add 2 cloves garlic (minced) and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in 4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup pesto, and a splash of the reserved juice from the can of butter beans (I used about ½ cup). Stir until melted and combined.
    A metal pan containing a frothy, yellowish-brown liquid sits on a green tiled surface.
  • Fillings: Stir in 2 15-oz cans butter beans (drained) and 1 pint cherry tomatoes (cut half of them in half). Cover and gently simmer for 15 minutes.
    A skillet containing white beans, halved cherry tomatoes, green sauce, and a wooden spoon on a green tiled surface.
  • Serve warm with crusty bread!
    A bowl of lima beans mixed with cherry tomatoes and a green herb sauce, with a spoon resting inside.

Video

Notes

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Warm on the stove over low heat or microwave in short bursts, adding a splash of water or bean liquid to loosen the sauce.
Is this recipe vegan? It can be! Just use dairy-free cream cheese and pesto. We tested both versions and they’re equally delicious.
Do I need to rinse the beans? Drain them, but don’t rinse them—keep that liquid!
What should I serve this with? Crusty bread is a must! You can also spoon it over orzo, rice, pasta, or even baked potatoes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 779kcal | Carbohydrates: 99.4g | Protein: 30.2g | Fat: 32.6g | Saturated Fat: 9.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15.4g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 1237mg | Fiber: 16.5g | Sugar: 6.4g | Vitamin A: 1228IU | Vitamin C: 58mg | Calcium: 474mg | Iron: 6.6mg
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