Creamy White Bean Herb Skillet (Printable Version)

Tender white beans in a creamy, herbed sauce with fresh spinach and aromatic herbs.

# Ingredient List:

→ Beans & Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
05 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Creamy Sauce

06 - 1 cup vegetable broth
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Fresh Herbs & Seasoning

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Add drained and rinsed white beans to the skillet. Cook 2 minutes, stirring gently to combine with aromatics.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 3 minutes to let flavors meld.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and grated Parmesan. Cook 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the beans.
06 - Add chopped spinach and cook 2 minutes until just wilted, stirring occasionally.
07 - Sprinkle in fresh parsley, dill, chives, and dried thyme. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Simmer 2 more minutes to allow all flavors to marry. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The creamy sauce with fresh herbs transforms humble beans into something restaurant-worthy
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
  • The sauce will continue to thicken off the heat so do not reduce it too much while cooking
  • Fresh herbs make a huge difference here so try not to substitute with dried versions
03 -
  • Mash a small handful of beans against the side of the pan to naturally thicken the sauce without any extra effort
  • Let the skillet rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving to let the sauce reach perfect consistency