Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Ever crave something creamy and satisfying? This Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet is your answer! It's packed with flavour and ready faster than you can say "dinner's ready!" Honestly, it is the definition of Italian comfort food recipe in a bowl.
Brief Overview
Originating from rustic Tuscan cuisine, this hearty skillet dish transforms simple ingredients into a creamy Tuscan bean recipe . It's an easy recipe, perfect for beginner cooks.
It takes about 30 minute dinner recipes , and serves four hungry people.
Main Benefits
Beans are nutritional powerhouses! This white bean skillet dinner delivers plant based protein and fibre, making it both delicious and good for you.
It's a winner for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers, and it also falls into Meatless Meals , Vegan Dinners and Veggie Dishes .
Plus, it's so budget friendly Italian recipes , you can feed the whole fam without breaking the bank. You know, sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying.
What You'll Need To Make This Skillet Magic
Right, let's talk ingredients. This Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet is all about simple, readily available stuff. Grab a tablespoon of olive oil, a medium yellow onion, two cloves of garlic, and some Italian seasoning.
Don't forget a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick! You'll also need one can of cannellini beans, one can of great northern beans, and one can of diced tomatoes.
A cup of chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you're keeping it vegan ) and five ounces of fresh spinach complete the picture.
Oh, and a splash of heavy cream to make it extra indulgent.
Let's Talk Ingredients & Equipment for Our Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet
Honestly, this Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet is super easy. You don't need to be a Michelin star chef. This white bean skillet dinner is so achievable! Perfect for quick weeknight meals .
Main Ingredients: The Stars of the Show
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Good quality olive oil makes a difference! It adds so much flavor.
- Yellow onion, chopped: 1 medium (about 1 cup or 200g) . Quality onions are firm and smell sweet.
- Garlic, minced: 2 cloves (approx. 2 tsp) . Fresh is always best. The pre-minced stuff just isn’t the same, you know?
- Dried Italian seasoning: ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) .
- Red pepper flakes: ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) . Add more if you like some heat!
- Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained: 1 (15-ounce) can (425g) .
- Great northern beans, rinsed and drained: 1 (15-ounce) can (425g) .
- Diced tomatoes, undrained: 1 (14.5-ounce) can (411g) .
- Chicken broth: 1 cup (240 ml) . Veggie broth works too, especially if you fancy vegan dinners .
- Fresh spinach, roughly chopped: 5 ounces (142g) . It wilts down a lot, so don't worry about the amount!
- Heavy cream: ¼ cup (60 ml) . Half and-half works too, for a lighter version, to create the best creamy Tuscan bean recipe .
- Salt and pepper: To taste, obviously!
- Fresh parsley, chopped: For garnish, if you're feeling fancy.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Also for garnish, if you like Italian comfort food recipes .
Spice It Up: Seasoning Notes
Italian seasoning is key. It's got that classic essential spice combinations . Red pepper flakes add a nice kick. For extra flavor, add a bay leaf while it simmers! Remove it before serving, Flavor enhancers and aromatics .
Not a fan of spice? Just skip the red pepper flakes!
Essential Equipment: Keep It Simple
You really don't need much for this budget friendly Italian recipe .
- A big skillet: 12 inch is ideal.
- Cutting board.
- A good knife.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
If you don't have a garlic press, just mince the garlic finely! Simple! Honestly, this 30 minute dinner recipe is a lifesaver.
This meatless meal and veggie dishes recipe will make you feel like the italian "Nonna" version of yourself, even if you dont know Receitas Vegetarianas .
Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet - Ready in Under 30!
Fancy a bit of Italian comfort food, but you're short on time? This Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet is your answer! It's proper lush, packed with creamy white beans and spinach, all swimming in a garlic infused broth.
Honestly, it's like a Creamy Tuscan bean recipe hug in a bowl. Best part? It's ready faster than you can say 'bellissimo!' And you know what? It's a brilliant dish for Meatless Meals or even Vegan Dinners if you tweak it a bit.
It's so easy, even your gran could make it! This is a white bean skillet dinner you'll want to make again and again.
Prep Steps: Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Right, first things first, let's get our mise en place sorted. Chop your onion (200g) and mince your garlic. Open the cans of cannellini beans (425g) and great northern beans (425g).
Rinse them under cold water nobody wants beany water ruining their skillet! Grab your diced tomatoes (411g) too. Oh, and give the spinach (142g) a good chop as well.
The secret to Quick weeknight meals is good prep! Remember, safety first: watch those fingers when chopping!
step-by-step Bean Bonanza
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium heat. Chuck in the chopped onion and cook until softened, around 5 minutes .
- Add the minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1 minute , until it smells amazing.
- Stir in those rinsed beans and the diced tomatoes (juice and all).
- Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth (or veggie broth if you're going Veggie Dishes route). Bring it to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes , letting all those lovely flavours get to know each other.
- Stir in the spinach and cook until it's wilted, about 2- 3 minutes .
- Finally, stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat it through, but don't let it boil !
- Serve that beauty up!
Pro Tips for a Cracking Skillet
Want to take your Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet to the next level? Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for a bit of zing.
Avoid the common mistake of overcooking the garlic burnt garlic is bitter garlic, and nobody wants that. If you want to get ahead, you can chop all your veggies earlier in the day and store them in the fridge.
Honestly, this is a Italian comfort food recipe that ticks all the boxes. It's one of those 30 minute dinner recipes that will save you on a busy night.
Plus, it's one of those Budget friendly Italian recipes that doesn't break the bank! Receitas Vegetarianas doesn't get any better than this.
Recipe Notes for Your Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet
Right, so you're about to dive into this Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet . Honestly, you're gonna love how simple it is.
But, like with any recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind to make it absolutely banging. This recipe is your gateway to delicious and hearty Meatless Meals ! You're making a White bean skillet dinner which is a great way to start cooking.
Serving Suggestions: Get Your Plating On!
Listen, first impressions matter, yeah? So, when it comes to plating this Veggie Dishes masterpiece, think rustic chic. Spoon a generous portion into a shallow bowl.
Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil, and sprinkle with that fresh parsley and Parmesan if you're using it.
Crusty bread is essential for mopping up all that delicious creamy sauce. Seriously, don't skip it! For drinks? A light, crisp white wine, like a Pinot Grigio, is spot on.
Or, even better, an ice-cold Peroni. If you want to go meatless but still need a protien boost, try the recipe in combination with other Vegan Dinners .
Storage Tips: No Waste Here!
So, you've got leftovers of your Creamy Tuscan bean recipe lucky you! Let the skillet cool completely. Then, whack it in an airtight container and straight into the fridge.
It'll keep happily for up to 3 days.
Freezing is an option, but honestly, the texture of the spinach might suffer a bit. If you do freeze it, make sure it's completely cool first.
Thaw it overnight in the fridge, and reheat gently on the hob, adding a splash of broth if it seems a bit dry.
This recipe is a great way to use Budget friendly Italian recipes , so don't throw your food away!
Variations: Make it Your Own!
Fancy a bit of a twist? Go for it! If you're not veggie, some cooked Italian sausage would be lush in this.
Fry it up with the onions and garlic. Bang! Instant upgrade.
For a Receitas Vegetarianas , use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and swap the cream for coconut cream. Also, don't forget that this is one of the best Quick weeknight meals .
Nutrition Basics: Feel Good Food
This Italian comfort food recipe is packed with fiber from the beans and spinach. Each serving clocks in around 350 calories, with a decent 18g of protein and 10g of fiber, that's a good way to start.
It's a pretty balanced meal. Just watch the sodium if you're using canned beans. Give 'em a good rinse before you use them! This is a great option for 30 minute dinner recipes .
Honestly, this Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet is such a crowd pleaser. It's easy to adapt, tastes amazing, and is ready in a flash. Get stuck in and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet ahead of time?
Absolutely! This dish is even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld, a bit like a proper Sunday roast! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water if it seems a bit dry. Just be sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating.
Don't want any 'soggy bottom' situations, à la Bake Off!
What's the best way to store leftovers of the Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet?
Leftovers are your best friend! Let the skillet cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage (up to 2 months), but the texture of the spinach might change slightly upon thawing.
To reheat, simply microwave until heated through or gently warm on the stovetop.
Is there a vegetarian or vegan version of this Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet?
Yes, absolutely! For a vegetarian version, ensure you're using a vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. To make it vegan, swap out the heavy cream with a plant based cream alternative like cashew cream, oat cream, or even full fat coconut milk for extra richness.
You can also omit the cream entirely and the dish will still be delicious.
Can I add meat to this Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet recipe?
You bet! Adding meat is a great way to bulk up the recipe. Cooked Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) would be a brilliant addition. Brown the sausage in the skillet before adding the onions and garlic. You could also add shredded cooked chicken or even some crispy bacon for a smoky flavour, a cheeky treat!
What other beans can I use in this Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet besides cannellini and great northern?
Feel free to get creative with your bean choices! Navy beans or even butter beans (also known as lima beans) would work beautifully in this dish. Just make sure they are well cooked and tender before adding them to the skillet.
Each type of bean will impart a slightly different flavour and texture, so have a go and see what your taste buds fancy!
How can I make my Creamy Italian White Bean Skillet even more flavourful?
Oooh, now you're talking! Try adding a splash of dry white wine to the skillet after sautéing the onions and garlic. Let it reduce slightly before adding the tomatoes and broth. A sprinkle of lemon zest at the end can also brighten up the flavours.
And don't be shy with the seasoning a good pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper can make all the difference!
Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18g |
| Fiber | 10g |