Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Butter Beans
Nov 10, 2026
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These creamy sun-dried tomato butter beans are the perfect example of how a few pantry staples can turn into something truly delicious. Ready in under 15 minutes, this one-pan recipe combines soft, buttery beans with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream and plenty of fresh herbs. It’s rich, comforting and filling enough to enjoy all on its own, making it the perfect quick and easy dinner.
Why you’ll these 15 minute butter beans!
If there’s one thing I love, it’s turning a humble tin of beans into something really special. And these creamy sun-dried tomato butter beans are proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something delicious.
The sun-dried tomatoes bring a lovely sweetness and richness to the sauce, while the butter beans make it wonderfully hearty and comforting. It’s the kind of meal I love to throw together when I want something quick but still full of flavour.
If you love my Beans and Herbs, I think you’ll love this one just as much. Serve it with a generous drizzle of olive oil and plenty of crusty bread for dipping.
Ingredients for Creamy Butter Beans
- Olive oil: The base of the dish. I like to use a generous amount of good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Red onion: Adds a lovely sweetness as it softens in the olive oil. A brown onion will also work well here!
- Garlic: Three cloves, finely sliced, for plenty of flavour.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These are the star of the show! They bring a concentrated tomato flavour and a little sweetness.
- Tomato paste: Gives the sauce a deeper, richer tomato flavour.
- Butter beans: I use tinned butter beans, including all their juices. The liquid helps create a beautiful, silky sauce.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce rich and creamy. Coconut cream also works if you prefer a dairy-free version.
- Parsley and basil: Plenty of fresh herbs to brighten up the rich sauce. You could also use dill, chives, spring onions or some thyme!
How to Make Creamy butter Beans
Step 1: Cook the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add tomato paste: Increase the heat to high and stir through the tomato paste. Cook until deep red and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: Add the beans: Add the butter beans with their juices and season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Add the cream and herbs: Stir through the cream and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir through the parsley and basil, and serve immediately.
My Tips
- Don’t drain the butter beans. The liquid from the tin is full of starch and helps thicken the sauce, making it beautifully creamy without needing any additional ingredients.
- Cook the tomato paste properly. Letting the tomato paste deepen in colour before adding the beans is one of the easiest ways to build flavour.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. I love their soft texture and rich flavour. Make sure you slice them into thin strips so you get a little in every bite.
- Be generous with the herbs. The fresh parsley and basil balance the richness of the cream and tomatoes beautifully.
FAQ’s
Absolutely! Simply swap the heavy cream for coconut cream. It will give the sauce a slightly different flavour but will still be wonderfully rich and creamy.
Yes! Cannellini beans or other white beans work beautifully in this recipe. Butter beans are my favourite because of their soft, creamy texture.
Yes. You can prepare the beans ahead of time and gently reheat them on the stove. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so you may need to add a splash of water when reheating.
Crusty bread is my first choice, particularly toasted sourdough or homemade focaccia. You could also serve them over toast for a simple lunch or alongside roasted vegetables.
More 15 Minute meals!
If you make these Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Butter Beans please tag me on Instagram, Tik Tok or Pinterest so I can see your wonderful creations! If you have any questions or would like to leave a review, please do so here! I always love answering your food and recipe related questions and hearing your feedback on my recipes.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Butter Beans
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g butter beans, including their juices
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely sliced
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the aromatics. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the red onion and cook for 3 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, then stir through the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Caramelise the tomato paste. Increase the heat to high and add the tomato paste. Cook, stirring continuously, until the paste turns deep red and begins to stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer the beans. Add the butter beans along with all their juices and season with salt and pepper. Stir through the cream. Once the sauce begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Finish and serve. Turn off the heat and stir through the parsley and basil. Serve immediately with crusty bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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