Creamy Pesto Beans
+3 photos

Creamy Pesto Beans

4 servings
These creamy pesto beans are ready in just 30 minutes. The sauce clings to tender white beans, and whatever is left is perfect for sopping up with a crusty baguette.

Ingredients

  • extra-virgin olive oil
    3 tbsp
  • shallots

    finely chopped, about ½ cup

    2 medium
  • cloves garlic

    thinly sliced, about 1½ tablespoons

    4 medium
  • salt-free italian seasoning

    such as mrs. dash

    1 tsp
  • crushed red pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • heavy cream
    ⅓ c
  • lower-sodium vegetable broth
    ⅓ c
  • cans no-salt-added cannellini beans

    rinsed

    2
  • refrigerated basil pesto
    ⅓ c
  • packed fresh basil leaves

    plus more for garnish

    ¼ c
  • lemon juice
    1 tbsp
  • grated parmesan cheese
    ¾ c
  • pieces crusty whole-wheat baguette

    toasted

    4

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped shallots and sliced garlic; cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper; cook and stir until the spices are toasted and fragrant, about 1 minute.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    Stir in ⅓ cup cream and ⅓ cup broth; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Stir in rinsed beans and return to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beans are warmed through and the sauce is thick enough that a spoon leaves a trail when dragged through it, 3 to 4  minutes.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Remove from heat and stir in ⅓ cup pesto, ¼ cup basil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Let cool slightly for 3 minutes, then gradually stir in ¾ cup Parmesan until melted. Garnish with additional basil, if desired. Serve with toasted baguette.

    Step 3
Creamy Pesto Beans
+3

Creamy Pesto Beans

4.8(19)30 min4 servings

Similar Recipes

Creamy Pesto Chicken

Creamy Pesto Chicken

Creamy Pesto Chicken is an easy dinner recipe is made with chicken, cream cheese, pesto, and mozzarella! Simple ingredients that the entire family will love. Serve it with a side salad, rice, pasta, veggies, or anything else you'd like.

60 minutes4 servings575 kcal
Creamy Pesto Chicken

Creamy Pesto Chicken

Creamy pesto chicken is a fast, easy, and impressive main dish for dinner, whether you just want to treat yourself or impress guests!

35 minutes
Marinated Butter Beans

Marinated Butter Beans

Think creamy butter beans, paired with pickled red onions, olives, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts, tossed in a spicy olive and lemon marinade. Like, what more could you want? Plus, this dish is high in both protein and fiber!

45 minutes3 servings
Soup Beans

Soup Beans

Appalachian soup beans are super tender and earthy from the garlic, herbs, bacon, and ham bone. These beans are made more robust by using two types of pork and adding vegetables like bell pepper and celery. Chow-chow brightens up this dish with vinegar and crunch.

11.3 hours8 servings
Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner

Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner

On the days I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas

0 servings
Pesto Lasagna

Pesto Lasagna

Pesto lasagna forgoes the meat and red sauce for pesto, homemade bechamel and spinach. The recipe is new and exciting but just as cozy as traditional lasagna.

60 minutes12 servings452 kcal
Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

This 4-ingredient creamy pesto gnocchi dinner is a family-friendly vegetarian meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes! Pillowy and tender gnocchi smothered in a creamy basil and dried tomato sauce. An easy comforting dinner that you'll keep making over and over again!

Baked Beans

Baked Beans

My favorite Baked Beans are the perfect side dish for summer potlucks and backyard BBQs, and even make a great family dinner when camping! The sweet and savory flavor makes this the best baked beans recipe! Don’t worry- they are easy to make and ready in about an hour!

65 minutes

Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 19 ratings

eatingwell.com
4.8(19 reviews)
View original recipe

Rating Breakdown

About this Recipe

Craving a comforting dinner that’s both deeply flavorful and incredibly quick to prepare? These Creamy Pesto Beans deliver a satisfying meal in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you need something delicious on the table fast.

This recipe shines by building layers of flavor with simple ingredients. Aromatic shallots and garlic are sautéed to create a fragrant foundation, infused with Italian seasoning and a touch of crushed red pepper for a subtle warmth. The genius here is how the heavy cream and vegetable broth come together to form a rich, velvety sauce that lovingly coats every tender white bean, elevated by the bright, herbaceous punch of basil pesto and fresh basil.

What you can expect is a bowl of tender cannellini beans swimming in a luscious, savory, and aromatic sauce. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of creamy richness, savory depth from the Parmesan, and the vibrant freshness of basil and lemon juice. The hint of spice from the crushed red pepper keeps things interesting, ensuring this dish is far from bland. It’s a hearty and flavorful dinner that feels much more indulgent than its simple preparation suggests.

Customizing these Creamy Pesto Beans is straightforward. You can easily swap cannellini beans for other white beans like Great Northern beans if that's what you have on hand. Adjust the crushed red pepper to your preferred spice level, or omit it entirely for a milder dish. While refrigerated basil pesto is key to its signature flavor, you can experiment with the ratio of fresh basil leaves for a more intense herby aroma.

Serve these creamy beans with the suggested toasted crusty whole-wheat baguette for sopping up every last drop of the delicious sauce. It’s a complete and satisfying dinner that’s wonderful on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions