Description
This Tuscan-Inspired Butter Beans recipe is a hearty, flavorful Italian vegan dish perfect for a nutritious main course or a comforting side. It features tender butter beans simmered with diced tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and fresh spinach, all gently cooked on the stovetop to meld the rich flavors. Simple to prepare and packed with fiber and protein, it’s a wholesome Mediterranean meal that can be enjoyed warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 2 (15-ounce) cans butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent, setting the flavor base for the dish.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, enhancing the aromatics.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes along with their juices and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to soften the tomatoes and meld flavors.
- Add Beans and Seasonings: Stir in the drained butter beans, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the beans to heat through thoroughly.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the baby spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until the leaves have wilted, contributing a fresh, nutritious element.
- Finish and Garnish: Stir in the balsamic vinegar, taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- This dish can be served warm as a side or main course, or chilled to be enjoyed as a rustic bean salad.
- For extra richness, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil just before serving.
- Pairing with crusty bread adds a satisfying texture and complements the flavors beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
