Creamy Butter Beans With Leeks & Spinach Recipe
Creamy Butter Beans with Leeks & Spinach is a comforting and nutritious skillet dish that combines tender leeks, garlic-infused cannellini beans, fresh spinach, and a luscious cream sauce, finished with zesty lemon and Parmesan for a rich, flavorful meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 large leeks (thinly sliced, white and light green parts only)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 large handfuls fresh spinach
Canned Goods
- 2 cans cannellini or butter beans (14 oz / 400 grams each, drained and rinsed)
Dairy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup cream (120 ml)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan (loosely packed) (50 grams)
Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup light stock (vegetable or chicken) (120 ml)
Seasonings & Others
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- Salt + freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (to taste)
Instructions
- Soften the leeks. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced leeks along with ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until the leeks are soft and silky. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add beans and stock. Stir in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans and the light stock. Simmer the mixture for 3–4 minutes to blend flavors. Gently mash some of the beans with your spoon to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Add cream and spinach. Pour in the cream and allow it to gently bubble for a few minutes to warm through and combine with the beans. Add the fresh spinach and stir until just wilted. Optionally, add a small pinch of nutmeg at this stage for a warm, nutty flavor.
- Final touches. Stir in the lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan, and freshly cracked black pepper. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or lemon juice as needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve warm. Transfer the creamy butter beans to serving dishes and serve immediately with toasted sourdough or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute cannellini beans with great northern beans if preferred.
- For a lighter option, substitute cream with half-and-half or crème fraîche.
- Adding a small pinch of nutmeg enhances the warmth of the creamy sauce but is optional.
- Serve with crusty bread to complement the creamy texture of the beans.
- To make it vegan, replace butter with olive oil, cream with coconut cream or cashew cream, and omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
