Okay, so you’ve heard about “Marry Me Chicken,” right? Well, get ready, because I’ve taken that creamy, decadent vibe and made it into the most ridiculously delicious Marry Me Butter Beans you’ve EVER tasted! Seriously, this dish is pure magic in a skillet. It’s got this incredible, rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and just the right amount of cream, all hugging these perfectly tender butter beans. I first whipped this up one frantic weeknight when I needed something impressive but fast, and it was an instant hit. It’s the kind of meal that honestly makes you say “Wow!” with every single bite, and it comes together in under 30 minutes. Pure comfort food, redefined!
Why You’ll Love These Marry Me Butter Beans
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love these? They’re just too good to pass up! Here’s why they’ll become your new go-to:
- Speedy Weeknight Wonder: We’re talking ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those nights when hunger strikes fast!
- Flavor Explosion: The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of spice is just divine. It’s rich, savory, and oh-so-satisfying.
- Super Easy to Make: No fancy techniques here! If you can chop garlic and open a can, you can totally nail this recipe. It’s all done in one skillet, which means less cleanup too.
- So Versatile: Serve them as a vegetarian main, or spoon them over pasta, rice, or even toast. They’re a fantastic blank canvas for whatever you’re craving!
Gather Your Ingredients for Marry Me Butter Beans
Alright, let’s get our shopping list together! You’ll want to grab these goodies to make the most amazing Marry Me Butter Beans. Trust me, having these on hand makes the whole process a breeze.
First up, you’ll need your beans! Grab:
- 2 cans of butter beans, make sure they’re rinsed really well and drained. We don’t want any extra liquid messing with our creamy sauce!
Now for that dreamy sauce:
- 1 tablespoon of good olive oil. Extra virgin is nice here if you have it!
- 4 cloves of garlic, but make sure they’re minced nice and fine. You want that garlic flavor to spread evenly.
- 1/2 cup of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Drain off that oil, but don’t toss it all! Chop them up into little bits – these little flavor bombs are key.
- 1 cup of vegetable broth. This is our liquid base.
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream. This is where the magic happens for that super creamy texture!
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is best, it melts so much smoother.
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, but only if you like a little tingle! It’s totally optional but I love the warmth it adds.
- Salt, just a pinch, to taste.
- Black pepper, freshly ground is always best, to taste.
- And for a pop of freshness at the end, a couple of tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped up for garnish. It just brightens everything up!
Oh, and don’t forget! If you’re looking for other super tasty ways to use butter beans, you absolutely have to check out this Spinach Pesto Butter Bean recipe. So good!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Marry Me Butter Beans
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness going! Making these Marry Me Butter Beans is honestly a piece of cake, or well, a piece of beans! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a showstopper ready in no time.
- First things first, grab your biggest skillet and pop it over medium heat. Add that lovely tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s warm, toss in your minced garlic. Give it a good sniff – you want it fragrant, but be quick! Cook it for about a minute until you can really smell that garlicky goodness, but don’t let it burn, okay? Burned garlic is a sad thing.
- Next up, stir in those chopped sun-dried tomatoes. If you’re using the red pepper flakes for that little kick, toss them in now too! Cook for just another minute, letting those flavors start to mingle and get friendly.
- Now, pour in your vegetable broth. Bring it all to a gentle simmer, like a happy little bubble bath. Let it hang out for about 3 to 4 minutes to reduce just a bit, concentrating those amazing flavors.
- Time for the stars of the show! Add your rinsed and drained butter beans right into the skillet. Give everything a good stir so those beans get coated in all that yummy sauce goodness we’ve built.
- Now, turn the heat down to low. This is important! Stir in the heavy cream and your grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring gently until the sauce gets nice and creamy and everything is heated through. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. And here’s the golden rule for this part: do not boil! We just want to warm it up and let the cream thicken slightly. Boiling can make the sauce separate, and that’s definitely not what we want.
- Taste your masterpiece! Add salt and freshly ground black pepper until it tastes just right to you. Every palate is different, so go with your gut!
- Finally, scoop those gorgeous Marry Me Butter Beans into bowls. Sprinkle generously with that fresh chopped basil. It adds such a beautiful pop of color and freshness. Enjoy every single bite!
Expert Tips for Perfect Marry Me Butter Beans
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe down, but let’s talk about taking your Marry Me Butter Beans from “really good” to “OMG, I need to make this again tomorrow!” A few little tricks really elevate this dish. First, don’t skimp on the garlic or sun-dried tomatoes – they are like the heart and soul of this creamy sauce, and using good quality ones makes a world of difference. Make sure you drain your sun-dried tomatoes well, but don’t toss *all* the oil; a little bit of that flavorful oil can add an extra layer of richness when you sauté the garlic. And for the love of all things delicious, please, please, please don’t boil the cream! Just a gentle simmer until it’s hot and luscious is perfect; boiling can make it split and nobody wants that sad outcome. A gentle hand makes for the creamiest sauce!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Marry Me Butter Beans
So, you’re ready to whip up these amazing Marry Me Butter Beans, but maybe you’re wondering about a few things or need to make a little tweak? Totally understandable! We all have different pantries and preferences.
Let’s talk about that luscious heavy cream. It’s what makes the sauce so wonderfully decadent. If you need a lighter option, you could try using half-and-half, but it won’t be quite as rich. Another option is full-fat coconut milk (the kind from a can, not the carton!), and whisk it in well – it adds a subtle sweetness and a creamy texture, though the flavor will be a bit different. For the Parmesan cheese, if you’re keeping this strictly vegetarian or need a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast is your best friend! Start with a couple of tablespoons and add more to taste; it gives a cheesy, umami flavor that’s surprisingly similar. And if you can’t find butter beans, don’t stress! Large lima beans or even cannellini beans would work wonderfully here.
Serving Suggestions for Your Marry Me Butter Beans
Honestly, these Marry Me Butter Beans are so good, they practically beg to be spooned right out of the skillet! But if you want to make it a full meal, you’ve got options. That crusty bread for dipping? A MUST. Seriously, don’t skip it – get yourself a nice baguette or some sourdough and mop up every last bit of that incredible sauce. For something a little more substantial, these beans are divine served over fluffy rice or creamy polenta. They also make a fantastic vegetarian main dish, or you could totally have them alongside some grilled chicken or fish. And if you love bean dishes, you should totally check out this hearty White Bean Mushroom Stew too!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers of these dreamy Marry Me Butter Beans? Lucky you! Just let them cool down a bit, then pop them into an airtight container and tuck them into the fridge. They’ll keep nicely for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for round two, the best way to reheat is gently on the stovetop over low heat. Give them a little stir now and then until they’re warmed through. If you’re in a super hurry, the microwave works too, just zap them in short bursts, stirring in between, until they’re hot. You might notice the sauce is a tad thicker after chilling, but a tiny splash of water or broth when reheating will bring it right back to life!
Frequently Asked Questions about Marry Me Butter Beans
Got some burning questions about these fantastic Marry Me Butter Beans? I get it! It’s always good to know the little nitty-gritty details. Here are some things people often ask:
Can I make Marry Me Butter Beans vegan?
You totally can! To make these vegan, just swap out the heavy cream for a good quality full-fat coconut milk (the kind from a can!) or another plant-based cream. And for the Parmesan cheese, use a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast. It adds that cheesy, savory flavor without any dairy. It’s a little different, but still incredibly delicious and creamy! If you’re looking for more fun vegan bean ideas, you might like these Crispy Vegan Chickpeas too!
What kind of beans can I use instead of butter beans?
Butter beans are pretty special here because they’re so big and creamy, but don’t worry if you can’t find them! Large lima beans are a fantastic substitute – they have a similar size and texture. Cannellini beans, those big white ones, would also work really well. Just make sure they’re rinsed and drained, just like the butter beans!
How long does it take to make Marry Me Butter Beans?
That’s one of the best parts! The whole process, from chopping the garlic to sitting down to eat, takes about 30 minutes. Seriously, it’s a super quick meal. You spend maybe 10 minutes prepping and the rest is just simmering and cooking in the skillet. Perfect for a busy weeknight!
Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! This recipe is a great base. You could totally sauté some chopped spinach or kale with the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for some added greens. Mushrooms would be amazing sautéed in at the beginning too. Or even toss in some roasted red peppers for extra sweetness. Just get creative with what you have!
What if I don’t have oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes?
No worries! If all you have are the dry, Turkish-style sun-dried tomatoes, you can rehydrate them. Just cover them with hot water and let them soak for about 20-30 minutes until they’re softened. Then drain them well, give them a little chop, and use them as directed. You might need to add an extra drizzle of olive oil to the pan when you start cooking since they won’t have that oil from the jar.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional details for these amazing Marry Me Butter Beans are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the brands you use and the exact amounts. But, generally, one serving (out of 4) will clock in around:
- Calories: Around 450-550
- Fat: About 30-40g
- Protein: Roughly 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 30-40g
- Fiber: About 8-10g
It’s a super satisfying dish with a good mix of everything!
Marry Me Butter Beans
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the rinsed and drained butter beans to the skillet. Stir to combine with the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring gently, until the sauce is creamy and heated through, about 5-7 minutes. Do not boil.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil.