15-Minute Garlic Parmesan White Beans Recipe (2024)

Now, these are the SEXIEST white beans you'll ever try! It takes only 2 cans of cannellini beans, and 15 minutes or less to make this delicious white beans recipe with garlic, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes. Serve it as an easy meatless dinner with your favorite crusty bread or as a side.

The sexiest creamy garlic white beans you'll try!

White beans cooked in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and a duo of Italian cheese, now this is the BEST (even sexiest) white beans recipe you'll try! And it's ready in just 15 minutes.

Using canned cannellini beans, which are tender and slightly nutty tasting, is a major shortcut that is worth taking (just like with butter beans, there's no overnight soaking or boiling required)! Garlic is essential here, but I also add warm Mediterranean spices including cumin and Aleppo pepper to flavor the beans. And a little grated parmesan and nutty Pecorino Romano add heft and creaminess, while a squeeze of fresh lemon balances the dish with just enough acidity.

This one-pan creamy white beans recipe is a true warm-your-belly meatless dinner that requires nothing more than your favorite crusty bread to serve. I can't wait for you to try it!

Types of white beans

White beans are a group of legumes that are easily distinguishable because of their white color and kidney-like shape. Some types of white beans include cannellini beans (also called white kidney beans), lima beans (also known as butter beans), great northern beans, and navy beans. Yup, plenty of options you can find in most supermarkets in dry and canned form. A quick guide on each of them:

• Navy Beans: Also called pea beans are smaller and have a mild flavor. They are great for mashed preparations.
• Great Northern Beans: These white beans are medium-sized and firm with a slight nutty taste.
• Cannellini Beans: Also called white kidney beans, are larger and heartier, but they do have a nice creamy texture when cooked. These beans are native to Italy and you’ll find them in many of my meals, like this orecchiette pasta, white bean shakahuka, vegetarian pasta fa*gioli, and ribollita. And I use them in this recipe as well.
• Baby Lima Beans: Also called butterbeans, are small and creamy with a buttery texture. I love them, especially, in a mashed white bean dip.

Like I said, I used canned cannellini beans here, but you can use any canned white bean variety you like! There will be a subtle difference in taste and texture, but you'll still have a delicious bean dish that is loaded with flavor.

Ingredients: What you’ll need to make this easy white beans recipe

With just a few pantry staples, you can have dinner ready in a flash! Here’s what you’ll need to make these white beans.

• Minced garlic – I like 3 to 4 minced cloves of garlic in this dish, but feel free to alter this amount based on your preference.
• Extra virgin olive oil – A generous drizzle of EVOO to finish the dish adds a nice silkiness to the sauce.
• Canned cannellini beans – You’ll need 2 cans of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed. Other white beans such as butter beans and great northern beans would also work well in this recipe.
• Halved cherry tomatoes – Just a cup of cherry tomatoes adds color and a hint of bright acidity.
• Aleppo pepper – I love the subtle tang and hint of sweetness that comes from Aleppo pepper in this recipe.
• Cumin – Its earthiness is the perfect base for the other flavors to balance on.
• Chopped fresh parsley – Few herbs elevate a dish as easily as fresh parsley does!
• Grated cheese - A combination of parmesan cheese and Pecorino Romano (which is a dense, nutty, sharp cheese) add tantalizing umami to this white beans recipe. If you can’t find one or the other, you can use just parmesan or Pecorino Romano, but the combination together is a good balance of salty tang and nuttiness.
• Fresh lemon juice – A squeeze of lemon juice instantly brightens this dish, enhancing its creamy, tangy flavors.

How to make this white bean recipe

My favorite thing about this dish is just how simple it is to make and all you need is one large pan and 15 minutes of time. Here’s how you make it:

• Sauté the garlic and beans. In a large pan, sauté 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves in heated olive oil over medium heat. Once the garlic is golden, add 2 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans that have been drained, and about ½ cup of water. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, and ½ teaspoon cumin.

  

• Add the tomatoes, fresh parsley, and cheese. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, and cook for about 10 minutes, until the beans and tomatoes are warmed through and the tomatoes have softened a bit. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, ¼ to ⅓ cup shaved parmesan, ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano, and the juice of half a lemon.
• Serve! Drizzle extra virgin olive oil generously to finish the white beans dish, and serve immediately.

Can I make this recipe from dry white beans instead of canned?

If you have the time, and you’re looking for a way to use up those dry white beans that have been in your pantry for what seems like forever, you can make this white beans recipe from scratch.

Three quarters of a cup of dry white beans equals approximately 1 15-ounce can of beans. So start with 1 ½ cups of dry beans and add them to a medium to large bowl. Cover with water (there should be about 3 inches of water above the beans). Let them soak for at least 8 hours – overnight is ideal!

What to serve with this cannellini beans recipe

These creamy white beans are delicious with pita or your favorite fresh crusty bread. I also like to start the meal off with a big salad.

How to store leftovers

These garlic parmesan white beans will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4 days. To reheat, add the beans to a pan on the stovetop on medium heat. If the beans have dried out a bit in the fridge, add a small amount of water (no more than ¼ cup).

Other white beans recipes to try

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