Description
Creamy “Marry Me” Butter Bean Pasta is a flavorful and comforting vegetarian dish combining tender pasta with a rich, creamy sauce made from butter beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. This easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, delivering a delicious Italian-American experience with fresh spinach and fragrant herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as rigatoni or penne
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups cooked butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning, cooking until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Flavors: Mix in the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, stirring for another minute to deepen the flavor profile of the sauce.
- Simmer Beans: Add the butter beans and vegetable broth to the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce thickens pleasantly.
- Add Spinach: Toss in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, integrating it into the creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing well to coat evenly. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Garnish: Stir in butter for extra richness and garnish the dish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- You can add grilled chicken or shrimp if you prefer extra protein.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten free.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to your preference.
