Flavorful Butter Beans with Leeks Recipe
A creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender butter beans cooked with aromatic leeks, garlic, and fresh herbs. Enhanced with melted cheddar and vegetarian pecorino cheeses, brightened by lemon zest and juice, this comforting recipe is perfect served warm with crusty bread for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Vegetables
- 1 can drained cannellini beans
- 1 leek, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 sprig rosemary, diced
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Liquids and Fats
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
Cheeses
- 30g cheddar cheese
- 15g vegetarian pecorino cheese
Additional Flavorings
- Juice and zest of half a lemon
- Handful of parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add butter to a saucepan and melt it over low heat to prevent burning. Once melted, add finely sliced leeks, sliced garlic, a sprig of thyme, and diced rosemary. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until the leeks are soft and fragrant, ensuring the heat remains low to avoid browning.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in white wine and cook for an additional 2 minutes to deglaze the pan and deepen the flavors of the dish.
- Combine Beans and Stock: Add the drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir in the cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly into the mixture. Cook everything together for another 8 to 10 minutes until well incorporated and heated through.
- Finish with Pecorino and Seasonings: Grate the vegetarian pecorino cheese over the mixture. Add extra salt and pepper to taste, squeeze in the lemon juice, add lemon zest, and scatter finely chopped fresh parsley on top to brighten the flavors and add freshness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the butter beans immediately, ideally accompanied by slices of crispy bread to complement the creamy, cheesy sauce. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful meal!
Notes
- Use low heat when sautéing leeks to avoid browning, which keeps flavors delicate.
- White wine can be substituted with a dry vermouth or additional vegetable broth if preferred.
- The cheeses add richness, but you can adjust quantities or omit if desired for dietary preferences.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for dipping into the cheesy sauce.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with oil and use plant-based cheeses.
Keywords: butter beans, cannellini beans, leeks, vegetarian recipe, cheesy beans, stovetop recipe, easy dinner
