10-Minute Alfredo Butter Beans
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I always keep a few cans of beans stocked in my pantry, and butter beans are at the top of that list. These big, pillowy beans become your “secret weapon” ingredient and soak up a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce in a way that feels genuinely indulgent without feeling heavy — and the whole thing is on the table in 10 minutes flat. Serve with thick slices of crusty bread for dipping, spoon over pasta for something heartier, or plate as-is with a generous shower of freshly grated parmesan. It’s humble enough for a Tuesday night, and impressive enough to put in front of guests without a second thought.
Big fan of these flavors? Then you will love this cauliflower gnocchi with bacon and quick alfredo sauce or this mushroom alfredo pasta recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Butter beans are the ultimate pantry hero. Creamy, pillowy, and substantial enough to hold their own as the star of the dish — a can of butter beans has never looked so good.
- Endlessly customizable. Add crispy pancetta, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed spinach, or a pinch of chili flakes to make it your own. The base is simple enough to build on.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Butter beans – Also called lima beans, these tender beans have a rich and creamy texture.
- Garlic – Minced cloves are sautéed in butter to mellow the garlic and infuse the sauce with flavor. Mincing the garlic allows it to blend seamlessly into the sauce.
- Cream – A bit of heavy cream can go a long way! I like keeping heavy cream stocked in my fridge because it lasts longer than many other dairy products. It’s simmered with butter and garlic and emulsified with Parmesan cheese to create a simple Alfredo sauce.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce to thicken it, creating a rich and luxurious sauce.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Swaps and substitutions
- Beans: While I love the size and texture of butter beans, you can also use other varieties, such as cannellini or navy beans.
- Garlic: For a more mild flavor sauce, the garlic can be swapped for 1 tablespoon finely diced shallot or yellow onion.
- Parmesan: Try swapping the Parmesan for another salty, hard cheese like Pecorino Romano.
How to Make with Dried Beans
Sort and rinse dried beans (removing and discarding any broken beans). Soak 1 cup (180g) of dried lima beans overnight until they double in size. Rinse and drain the beans once more, then add to a large pot and cover with water by 1” (2.5cm). Add 1 tablespoon (14g) extra-virgin olive oil and ½ teaspoon (3g) kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce to medium-low and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, adding additional water if it evaporates too fast.
Pro tip
Rather than mincing the garlic with a knife, you can also grate the garlic with a microplane so it seamlessly blends into the sauce.
How to Make Alfredo Butter Beans (Step-by-Step)
Heat the pan over medium heat, add the butter, and allow to melt. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently, about 30 seconds.
Add the cream and stir to combine, simmering until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.
Add the beans to the pan, then add the Parmesan, stirring to combine. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens and the Parmesan melts into it, about an additional 4 minutes.
Serve in a bowl with bread for dipping.
What to Serve with Butter Beans
- Serve with something to soak up the garlic cream Alfredo sauce, like slices of crisp bread or baguettes.
- I also like to serve with a simple kale salad or a light salad with butter lettuce.
- It pairs well with simple roast chicken or salmon as well!
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this Alfredo butter beans recipe, give these other bean-based recipes a try:
I hope you love these butter beans. If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy!
10-Minute Alfredo Butter Beans
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Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 (15.5 ounce) cans butter beans (also called lima beans), rinsed and drained
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt, as needed
Instructions:
- Heat the pan over medium heat, add the butter, and allow to melt. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring frequently, about 30 seconds.
- Add the cream and stir to combine, simmering until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.
- Add the beans to the pan, then add the Parmesan, stirring to combine. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens and the Parmesan melts into it, about an additional 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
- Serve in a bowl with bread for dipping (optional).
Notes:
Nutrition:
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