Are you looking for the ultimate 15-minute meal that is cozy, comforting, and made almost entirely from pantry staples? A hearty, healthy, and incredibly delicious dish that will transport you to a rustic Tuscan kitchen with its simple, robust flavors? This amazing, one-pot Creamy White Beans and Greens is that perfect recipe! We’re talking tender, creamy white beans and silky spinach, all simmered in a luscious, garlicky, and slightly spicy broth that gets its incredible creaminess from a brilliant, healthy secret.
This isn’t just another bean recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite “pantry raid” masterpiece. We’ll show you how to use a few simple, high-quality ingredients to create a stunning, from-scratch-tasting meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight, a quick lunch, or a sophisticated yet simple side dish. This is satisfying, soulful, and deeply comforting food, made easy.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate 15-Minute Pantry Meal
What makes these Creamy White Beans so spectacularly delicious is their incredible, rich flavor and their wonderfully simple one-pot preparation. This recipe is a masterpiece of smart, efficient cooking. The heart and soul of the dish is the from-scratch creamy bean broth, which gets its luscious, velvety texture from a brilliant, healthy hack: simply mashing a portion of the beans directly in the pot. The starches from the mashed beans naturally thicken the broth into an unbelievably creamy base. This beautiful, savory liquid is infused with the sweet, nutty flavor of slow-cooked garlic and a hint of spice from chili flakes. The entire dish is then loaded with tender, whole cannellini beans and healthy fresh spinach, and finished with a bright squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Metric | Time / Level |
Total Time | 15 minutes |
Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
Servings | 2 |
The Pantry Powerhouses: The Essential Ingredients
This iconic dish uses a handful of high-quality pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Creamy Bean Base:
- Canned Cannellini Beans: This is the brilliant and healthy secret to a hearty, protein-packed, and creamy base. Canned cannellini beans (also known as white kidney beans) have a wonderfully mild flavor and an incredibly soft, tender texture that is perfect for this dish.
- The “Mashed Bean” Hack: This is the non-negotiable secret to a naturally thick and creamy sauce without any heavy cream, flour, or cornstarch! By simply using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to mash about a quarter of the beans directly in the pot, you are releasing all their wonderful, natural starches. These starches are the key that will thicken your broth into a luscious, velvety sauce.
- The Aromatics:
- High-Quality Olive Oil & Fresh Garlic: Since there are so few ingredients, their quality is paramount. Using a good, flavorful extra-virgin olive oil and freshly sliced or minced garlic is the key to a deep, authentic flavor.
- The “Secret” Broth (Aquafaba!):
- Instead of just draining your beans down the sink, be sure to reserve that starchy liquid in the can! This liquid, known as aquafaba, is packed with flavor and starch, and it’s a fantastic, no-waste ingredient for creating a light, savory broth for this dish.
- The Bright Finish: A final, generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, stirred in at the very end, is crucial for adding a burst of bright, zesty acidity that cuts through the richness and brings all the other savory flavors to life.

Step-by-Step to the Best Creamy White Beans
This delicious, one-pot meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Infuse the Garlic Oil and Mash the Beans
In a large skillet, add the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the 2 cloves of thinly sliced garlic, and the 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes (if you are using them). Place the skillet over a medium-low heat. Let the garlic cook gently for 1 to 2 minutes, until it becomes very fragrant and just barely starts to turn a light golden color. Be careful not to let it brown or burn.
While the garlic is heating up, transfer about half of one of your cans of beans (about 3/4 cup) to a small bowl and use a fork to roughly mash them into a paste.
Part 2: Wilt the Greens and Finish
Step 1: Once the garlic is fragrant, add your whole beans, your mashed beans, and your 4 packed cups of baby spinach to the pan. Season with the 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and the 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
Step 2: Turn the heat up to medium and stir well to combine. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the spinach has completely wilted.
Step 3: Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of your reserved bean liquid (aquafaba) and the 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
Give the dish a final taste and adjust the seasoning with any more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve the hot, creamy beans immediately in warm, shallow bowls, with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Creamy White Beans with Garlic and Greens
An incredibly quick and easy one-pan recipe for creamy white beans and greens. This simple, healthy vegetarian dish gets its creamy texture by mashing a portion of the cannellini beans before simmering them. The beans are cooked in a large skillet with gently sautéed garlic, chili flakes, and a generous amount of fresh baby spinach. The dish is finished with a splash of the reserved bean liquid (aquafaba) and a bright squeeze of fresh lemon juice, making for a satisfying meal that’s ready in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or pressed
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 2 (14-ounce) cans white beans (e.g., cannellini), drained and rinsed, liquid reserved
- 4 packed cups baby spinach (about 3.5 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Add the olive oil, garlic, and optional chili flakes to a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- While the oil is heating, transfer about half of one of the cans of beans to a small bowl and roughly mash them with a fork.
- Once the garlic in the skillet barely starts to turn golden and fragrant (1 to 2 minutes), add all the beans (both whole and mashed), the spinach, salt, and pepper to the pan.
- Turn the heat up to medium and stir well to combine. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the spinach is wilted.
- Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the reserved bean liquid (aquafaba) and the fresh lemon juice. Add more bean liquid if you desire a soupier consistency.
- Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- This is an extremely fast one-pan meal, perfect for a busy weeknight.
- The key to the creamy texture without any dairy is mashing some of the beans, which releases their starches and naturally thickens the dish.
- The reserved bean liquid, known as aquafaba, is also used to adjust the consistency of the final dish.
- This recipe is highly customizable and can be varied by adding other greens like kale, spices like cumin, or toppings like a fried egg.
How to Serve Your Creamy White Beans
This beautiful and savory dish is a fantastic, all-in-one vegetarian meal that is incredibly versatile.
- As a Main Course: Serve it in a cozy bowl with a side of warm, crusty bread or some buttery garlic bread for dipping. It’s also incredible topped with a golden, runny fried egg.
- As a Side Dish: This makes a fantastic, hearty side dish for a simple roasted chicken, some pan-seared pork chops, or a flaky piece of salmon.
- On Toast: For a truly rustic and satisfying lunch, spoon this cheesy, garlicky mixture over a thick slice of toasted, grilled, or garlic-rubbed sourdough bread.
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Storage and Reheating Tips
- Make-Ahead: This is a perfect make-ahead dish for meal prep! You can prepare the entire recipe and portion it into airtight containers.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat this dish is to do so gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over a low heat. You may need to add a generous splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce and bring back its original, creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a super creamy bean soup or stew without using any cream?
The secret is the brilliant “mashed bean” hack! By mashing just a portion of your cooked beans, you are releasing their natural starches directly into the broth. These starches are a fantastic, healthy, and completely natural thickener that will transform your broth into an unbelievably creamy and luscious sauce with zero extra ingredients.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time for meal prep?
Yes, this is a fantastic meal-prep recipe! It keeps and reheats beautifully. Simply prepare the entire dish and portion it into airtight containers. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making for a delicious, hearty, and satisfying lunch.
Q3: Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, absolutely! As written, this recipe is completely vegan if you simply omit the optional Parmesan cheese garnish.
Q4: What is aquafaba?
Aquafaba is the starchy, viscous liquid that is left over from cooking legumes, like the liquid you find in a can of chickpeas or beans. It is a fantastic, no-waste ingredient that is packed with starch and flavor, making it a perfect, light broth for this dish.
Q5: What are the best kind of beans to use for a creamy dish like this one?
A creamy, mild-flavored white bean like a cannellini bean (white kidney bean) is the perfect choice for this recipe. Their soft, tender texture mashes beautifully and creates a wonderful, creamy base. Other fantastic options include Great Northern beans or butter beans.