Name: Marry Me Beans (in a Creamy Tuscan Sauce)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 small yellow onion, finely diced; 4-5 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste (optional); 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste; 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved; ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped; 1-2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped (depending on how much spinach you like); 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup vegetable broth (or water); 2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans (or navy beans), drained and rinsed; ½ cup freshly grated Parmgiano-Reggiano; 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil leaves (or flat-leaf parsley)

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This Marry Me Beans recipe features tender white beans simmered in a creamy Tuscan sauce made with garlic, juicy cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, parmesan cheese, and cream. It’s a flavorful one-pot vegetarian comfort dish that tastes delicious served with crusty bread, rice, pasta, or a simple green salad.

This is one of my family’s favorite meals. I’m always looking for tasty ways to eat more beans because they’re a great source of plant-based protein and fiber.

It also tastes great if you have leftovers the next day when you need a quick make-ahead lunch or dinner.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Marry Me Beans

It’s quick and easy to make. This is a simple one-pan meal that comes together in 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something creamy and comforting.

It’s budget-friendly. Beans are an affordable pantry staple. This makes it easy to create a satisfying and delicious meal without spending a lot.

Packed with protein and fiber. Beans are nutritional powerhouses packed with plant-based protein and soluble fiber. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals like iron and folate.

Perfect meatless meal idea. Beans make this a hearty dish that will keep you full longer. You can serve this as a main vegetarian dish or as a side dish.

It’s versatile and delicious. You can serve this meal with a side of crusty bread for dipping, jasmine rice, pasta, roasted veggies, or a simple green salad to make it a complete meal.

What are marry me beans?

Marry Me Beans are a creamy and cozy vegetarian main dish that’s inspired by the viral “Marry Me Chicken” recipe.

White beans, such as cannellini beans, butter beans, or navy beans, are simmered in a rich and savory sauce made with garlic, Italian seasoning, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and cream.

The name “marry me” comes from the idea that the dish is so delicious, it could inspire a marriage proposal.

Marry Me Beans Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil: This adds richness to the dish.

Yellow onion: This helps build the savory base of the creamy sauce.

Garlic: Fresh garlic adds so much flavor to this dish.

Seasoning: I like using dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Cherry tomatoes: Using fresh cherry tomatoes adds a touch of acidity and sweetness that helps cut through the richness of the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.

Sun-dried tomatoes: This is a traditional ingredient in “Marry Me” sauce, which adds a tangy punch and chewy texture. It helps cut through the garlic and heavy cream.

Baby spinach: This adds a nice pop of green and extra nutrition to the dish.

Heavy cream: I use 35% cream, which provides a rich and silky base for the creamy Tuscan sauce. You can substitute with canned coconut milk as a dairy-free option.

Vegetable broth or water: This helps loosen up the sauce. Vegetable broth adds more flavor, or you can use plain water if you prefer.

Beans: I like using cannellini beans or navy beans. You can also use butter beans or chickpeas (garbanzo beans) if you wish.

Parmesan cheese: This is a traditional ingredient in marry me sauce. I like using freshly grated Parmgiano-Reggiano. It melts into the heavy cream to help thicken the sauce.

Fresh herbs: I like to add a little fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley at the end of cooking. It adds a bright and fresh flavor.

How to make marry me beans

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until softened.

Add the garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme leaves, smoked paprika, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and freshly ground black pepper, and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.

Add the cherry tomatoes and let cook, stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they soften and start to release their juices.

Add the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often.

Add the heavy cream, ½ cup vegetable broth (or water if using), beans, and parmesan cheese. Stir together to melt the cheese. Reduce the heat and bring to a low simmer. Let cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the fresh basil or parsley. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.

Add more vegetable broth or water if desired for a looser consistency. Serve with crusty bread, garlic toast, with pasta, or jasmine or basmati rice.

Easy variations and substitutions

Cherry tomatoes: You can substitute with grape tomatoes, canned cherry tomatoes, or finely diced tomatoes if you prefer. Aurora brand has good canned cherry tomatoes if you can find them.

Baby spinach: You can use chopped curly green kale if you prefer.

Beans: You can use cannellini beans, navy beans, butter beans, or chickpeas (garbanzo beans) if you wish.

Heavy cream: You can use canned full-fat coconut milk if you want to keep this meal dairy-free. You can also use half-and-half (10% cream), but it won’t be as creamy.

What to serve with marry me beans

Marry Me Beans taste best with a side that can help soak up all that delicious creamy Tuscan sauce.

Crusty bread: Sourdough, garlic toast, or a warm baguette.

Green salad: Simple green salad, arugula salad with Italian croutons, arugula tomato salad, fresh garden salad, arugula pear salad.

Rice: I love this dish served over steamed jasmine or basmati rice.

Pasta: Spoon the creamy beans over your favorite pasta or buttered noodles.

Roasted vegetables or roasted potatoes.

How to store leftover marry me beans

If you have leftovers, let it cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I make marry me beans ahead of time? Yes, absolutely! This can be a great make-ahead meal. After cooking the recipe, let it cool before transferring it to an airtight container and storing in the fridge.

How to reheat marry me beans

The best way to reheat marry me beans is in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through.

The sauce will naturally thicken after sitting in the fridge, so I recommend adding a splash of water or vegetable broth while reheating until you’ve reached your desired consistency.

More easy bean recipes to try

Please let me know how you like this Marry Me Beans recipe in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love this marry me beans as much as I do.