Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet Recipe
This Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish perfect for a quick and nourishing meal. Featuring tender cannellini beans, vibrant spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a luscious garlic-oregano cream sauce, it’s simple yet elegant. Ideal for vegetarians and easily adaptable to vegan diets, this skillet recipe blends Mediterranean-inspired flavors with creamy textures, all made on the stovetop for effortless cooking and cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs & Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Main Ingredients
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Liquids and Cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for vegan option
Cheese (Optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (optional, omit for vegan)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This step develops the sweetness and depth for the dish’s flavor base.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Stir constantly and reduce heat if necessary to preserve flavor balance.
- Incorporate Beans and Sun-dried Tomatoes: Add the rinsed cannellini beans and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for 3-5 minutes so the beans warm through and the tomatoes soften slightly, allowing flavors to meld.
- Wilt the Spinach: Gradually add the roughly chopped spinach in batches, stirring continuously to help it wilt evenly. Continue until all the spinach has wilted and turned bright green, taking care not to overcook to maintain tender texture and vibrant color.
- Add Broth and Cream: Pour in the vegetable broth and heavy cream or coconut cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and all flavors meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Stir in Parmesan (Optional): Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce, creating a rich, cheesy finish.
- Season and Serve: Do a final taste test and adjust salt and pepper accordingly. Serve immediately while hot and creamy, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs like parsley or basil for brightness and presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh and high-quality ingredients for the best flavor, especially fresh spinach and good-quality canned beans.
- For a vegan version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives.
- Rinsing and draining canned beans reduces excess sodium and improves texture.
- If using dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate them in hot water before chopping.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes or omit according to your desired spice level.
- Skillet size matters: using a 12-inch pan ensures even cooking and easy stirring.
- Don’t overcook spinach; it should be wilted but retain some texture and vibrant color.
- Feel free to swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard, though cooking time may increase slightly.
Keywords: white bean skillet, spinach skillet recipe, creamy white beans, vegetarian skillet, marry me recipe, easy one-pot meal, stovetop recipe, Mediterranean vegetarian dish
