4.8 from 63 votes
Creamy White Beans with Spinach
Creamy White Beans with Spinach combines tender cannellini beans and fresh spinach cooked with garlic and shallots in olive oil. The beans are simmered with vegetable broth until thickened and finished with Parmesan cheese and lemon juice for a rich, slightly tangy finish. The addition of red pepper flakes offers a mild hint of heat that balances the creamy texture. This dish can be enjoyed warm alongside crusty bread or served with pasta, rice, or potatoes for a comforting side or light main course.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
319 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot chopped, large
- 4 cups spinach roughly chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 (15 oz) cannellini beans drained, canned
- 1 cup vegetable broth more if desired
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- bread for serving, crusty
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the shallot and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the beans and vegetable broth. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The beans will get creamy and thicken. If you want to break up some of the beans with a wooden spoon, you can.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast) and lemon juice. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can add a little extra vegetable broth.
- Serve warm with crusty bread.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Serving with crusty bread is a traditional choice, but the beans also pair well with pasta, rice, polenta, eggs, or potatoes for varied meals.
Nutrition Information
Calories
319kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
50g
(17%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
373mg
(16%)
Potassium
1181mg
(25%)
Fiber
11g
(44%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
3025IU
(61%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
269mg
(27%)
Iron
7mg
(39%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 319
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 319kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 373mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 1181mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 3025IU | 61% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 269mg | 27% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.