Description
This Easy Creamy Pesto Beans recipe combines tender butter beans with a rich, homemade basil pesto and a luxurious creamy sauce. Perfect for a flavorful vegetarian meal, it features fresh basil, garlic, walnuts, Parmesan, and a touch of lemon, all simmered together for 35 minutes to create a hearty and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Pesto Ingredients
- 2 heaping cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 large cloves garlic
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Beans and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 (15.5-ounce) cans butter beans, including canning liquid
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
Optional Garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
- Extra pesto for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the pesto: Add the basil, garlic, and walnuts to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the lemon juice and black pepper, then while pulsing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes mostly smooth. Add the grated Parmesan and pulse just to combine. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Simmer the beans: To the skillet, add the butter beans along with their canning liquid, vegetable broth, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Mix in the pesto: Stir in half a cup of the prepared pesto until well combined. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the creamy pesto beans and top with additional Parmesan cheese and extra pesto as desired. Optionally, garnish with crispy prosciutto for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts with pine nuts or almonds for the pesto if preferred.
- Using fresh basil ensures the pesto is vibrant and flavorful.
- For a vegan-friendly version, replace heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Be sure to stir the beans frequently while simmering to prevent sticking and promote even thickening.
- Optional crispy prosciutto garnish adds a nice salty crunch but can be omitted for a vegetarian meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
