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Marry Me Butter Beans

Name: Marry Me Butter Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; ½ cup finely chopped onion; 3 teaspoons minced garlic; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ((adjust to taste)); ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes ((oil-packed, drained) (see notes for dehydrated)); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ cup vegetable broth; 1 cup oat milk ((substitute creamy cashew milk)); 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 14 oz can butter beans (, drained and rinsed); 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes ((optional)); salt and pepper to taste; Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

by Marly McMillen

Posted 10/24/25

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Fall in love with marry me butter beans! This one-pot protein-packed dish simmers butter beans in a dreamy dairy-free tomato-garlic sauce.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Resting Time 5

Total Time 20

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Picture this: you scoop a big spoonful of marry me butter beans straight from the pan, and the creamy tomato sauce clings to every tender bean. One bite, and you get why people say this dish could inspire proposals! I’m Marly, and I’ve tweaked vegan recipes for years, and this one-pot wonder tops my list for quick, cozy dinners that pack protein and flavor.

In This Post show

Butter Beans That’ll Make You Propose?

I first whipped up these Mary Me Butter Beans on a busy weeknight, craving something hearty but fast.

Twenty minutes later? Pure magic. The sauce turns silky, the beans stay plump, and the sun-dried tomatoes add tangy pops that make you go “mmm.”

I love that I made this sauce without a special (or expensive) cream. But I’ve got a little trick that still makes the sauce dreamy!

It’s become a go-to for meatless Mondays, potlucks, or anytime I want comfort without fuss.

Ingredients & Substitutions

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Olive oil – Grab any extra-virgin bottle from the oil aisle; it adds richness without overpowering. Swap with avocado oil if you prefer.
Onion – Yellow onions work best for sweetness; find them near the produce. Chop fine so they melt into the sauce.
Garlic – Fresh cloves beat jarred every time. Look in the produce section; mince three teaspoons (about three cloves).
Red pepper flakes – Adjust heat to your taste. Find them in the spice aisle; start with ½ teaspoon.
Sun-dried tomatoes – Oil-packed ones live near olives or pasta sauces. Drain well. For dry ones, soak in hot water 10 minutes first.
Italian seasoning – A shaker from the spice rack does the trick. Make your own with basil, oregano, and thyme if you’re out.
Smoked paprika – Adds smoky depth; grab it with the spices. Regular paprika works in a pinch.
Vegetable broth – Low-sodium cartons sit by soups. Water plus a veggie bouillon cube saves a trip.
Butter beans – Canned large lima beans hide in the bean aisle. Drain and rinse to cut salt.
Oat milk – Creamy non-dairy in the milk section. Cashew milk swaps seamlessly for a nutty flavor.
Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce; find it in the baking aisle. Arrowroot works too.
Nutritional yeast flakes – Optional cheesy boost; look in health or bulk sections. Skip if you don’t have it.
Salt and pepper – To taste from your pantry.
Fresh parsley – Bright finish; grab a bunch from produce and chop fresh.

How to Make Marry Me Butter Beans

Grab your favorite large skillet and let’s cook side by side. I’ll guide you through every sizzle and stir.

Step One – Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. The oil shimmers like liquid gold. Toss in chopped onion and stir until it turns soft and golden, about 5 minutes. The kitchen fills with a sweet onion scent! Keep going; the base builds flavor.

Step Two – Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Hear that sizzle? It releases spicy garlic aroma that makes your mouth water. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. You’ve got this…the sauce starts here.

Step Three – Add sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Watch the tomatoes glisten as they warm and release tangy oils. Stir 1–2 minutes. Smells like an Italian bistro already. Stay with me!

Spices are being added to a skillet with other ingredients, like sun-dried tomatoes.

Step Four – Pour in vegetable broth, oat milk, and cornstarch. Whisk fast to banish lumps. The mixture bubbles gently and thickens into a rosy sauce. Simmer 10 minutes; it coats the spoon like velvet. Almost there—protein marry me butter beans await.

Vegetable broth is being poured into a skillet with other ingredients.

Step Five – Fold in butter beans and nutritional yeast (if using). The beans plump up in creamy sauce, turning glossy. Simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring now and then. Taste, then add salt, pepper, or more flakes. I always sneak a bean here; it’s irresistible!

Step Six – Sprinkle fresh parsley on top. The green flecks pop against the red sauce. Scoop into bowls with crusty bread, rice, or pasta. Dig in while it’s hot. You just made one-pot marry me butter beans!

A saucepan is filled with a creamy sauce with beans, tomatoes, and fresh herbs on top.

Recipe Test Kitchen

We tested this several times to nail the creamy factor.

First round: the sauce stayed thin. We added cornstarch…boom, velvety texture!
Second try: beans got mushy. Shortened simmer to 5–7 minutes; now they stay tender-firm.
Final tweak: boosted sun-dried tomatoes for tang.

These changes made the dish richer, faster, and foolproof. Try our version—you’ll taste the difference!

Serving Suggestions

Serve Marry Me Butter Beans with your favorite side dishes, such as:

Steamed Broccoli adds a nutritional boost
Air-Fried Frozen Cauliflower is fast and easy
Vegan Caesar Salad is an easy side dish for almost any meal!

Storage Tips

Cool leftovers completely. Store in airtight glass containers in the fridge up to 4 days. Freeze in portions up to 2 months; thaw overnight and reheat on the stove with a splash of milk to revive creaminess.