Category: Cannellini Beans

Buffalo Beans and Greens

These Buffalo beans and greens are a little bowl of luxury on a shoestring budget. We just can’t get enough!

The post Buffalo Beans and Greens appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I love any dish where I can sneak in some kale without complaints from the haters; there’s just something so fun about sneaking them in and hearing the good ol’, “I usually hate kale, but this is SO good!” These Buffalo beans and greens pack in a whole lot of nutrition and flavor on a shoestring budget. Creamy white beans, rich kale, and wholesome diced veggies all tossed in spicy buffalo sauce. Drizzle it with some blue cheese dressing, and I just can’t get enough! One of my favorite Nashville institutions recently closed (I sob) and they had a killer Buffalo beans and greens dish on their menu, so this tip of the hat goes out to my friends at The Wild Cow.

overhead view of buffalo beans and greens over white rice on a white plate with white sauce drizzled over top.

What Are Buffalo Beans and Greens?

If you’ve made our Saucy White Beans with Spinach, then you know how good stewed beans can be. These buffalo beans and greens are a fun riff on the classic “Buffalo chicken” that all Americans know and love, but we’ve turned it into a veg-friendly complete meal. It’s a balanced, comforting, and wholesome meal with just the right amount of spice.

Ingredients for Buffalo Beans and Greens

Here’s what you’ll need to make buffalo beans and greens:

  • Unsalted Butter: Helps sauté the veggies without burning and adds richness to the dish. Dairy free? No problem, olive oil is a suitable substitute.
  • Vegetables: Yellow onion, celery, and carrots create a sweet, earthy, and crunchy base of flavor for this dish.
  • Garlic: Adds an earthy and savory element to the dish.
  • Cannellini Beans: These creamy white beans are a great meat replacement and are packed full of fiber and protein.
  • Buffalo Sauce: Adds a touch of spice to the dish.
  • Blue Cheese Dressing: You can use as much or as little as you like. It’s just for a drizzle on top at the end. Blue cheese can be polarizing, so if you’re not a fan, you can leave it off or try a drizzle of Homemade Ranch Dressing instead!
  • Fresh Kale: Wilts into this dish to create a delightfully earthy flavor and texture.
  • White Rice: Serve these beans and greens over rice for a complete, filling meal.

What Else Can I Put In Buffalo Beans and Greens?

This is a great recipe for fridge cleanout day since it’s easy to add any number of leftover veggies, meats, or cheeses to it. Try:

  • Broccoli or cauliflower florets
  • Diced zucchini or summer squash
  • Cut green beans or asparagus
  • Frozen peas or corn
  • Cooked bacon, Italian sausage, or pancetta
  • Leftover shredded chicken
  • Crumbled blue cheese

What to Serve with Buffalo Beans and Greens

We love the simplicity of this dish served over white rice, but of course, brown rice is a great healthy alternative. You could also serve it over some Mashed Potatoes, Deruny, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Creamy Polenta, or Cheese Grits. And if you hate blue cheese, try serving these buffalo beans and greens drizzled with Homemade Ranch Dressing.

overhead view of buffalo beans and greens in a pan.
overhead view of buffalo beans and greens over white rice on a white plate with white sauce drizzled over top.
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Buffalo Beans and Greens

These Buffalo beans and greens pack in a whole lot of nutrition and flavor on a shoestring budget. I just can't get enough!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $6.61 recipe / $1.65 serving
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 (about 1.5 cups each)
Calories 569kcal
Author Jess – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter $0.75
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced small $0.39
  • 3 celery stalks, diced small $0.26
  • 2 medium carrots, diced small $0.26
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced $0.42
  • 2 15oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed $2.56
  • 1/4 cup Buffalo-style hot sauce $0.52
  • 2 tbsp water $0.00
  • 2 cups fresh kale, chopped $0.50
  • 1/4 cup blue cheese dressing $0.31
  • 1 cup white rice, cooked $0.64

Instructions

  • Cook rice according to package directions. (1 dry cup will yield about 3 cooked cups of rice.) Drain and rinse the cannellini beans.
  • Dice celery, yellow onion, and carrots to make a mirepoix.
  • Add the butter, salt, celery, onions, and carrots to a large skillet. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or just until the veggies begin to soften. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the white beans, Buffalo-style hot sauce and water to the skillet. Stir and cook over medium heat until the beans are heated through.
  • Add the kale to the pan and stir until bright green and wilted. No need to cook for too long. Serve a heaping spoonful on top of rice, drizzling blue cheese dressing over the top. Add salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 682mg | Fiber: 14g
overhead view of buffalo beans and greens over white rice with white sauce on a white plate with a fork.

how to make Buffalo Beans and Greens – step by step photos

finely diced onion, carrot, and celery on a bamboo cutting board.

Cook rice according to package directions. (1 dry cup will yield about 3 cooked cups of rice.) Drain and rinse the cannellini beans. Dice 3 stalks celery, 1/2 of a yellow onion, and 2 medium carrots to make a mirepoix.

onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in a pan.

Add 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, celery, onion, and carrots to a large skillet. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or just until the veggies begin to soften. Add 6 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes.

cannellini beans and buffalo sauce added to sauteed veggies in a pan.

Add 1 can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans, 1/4 cup Buffalo-style hot sauce, and 2 Tbsp water to the skillet. Stir and cook over medium heat until the beans are heated through.

kale added to buffalo beans in a pan.

Add 2 cups chopped fresh kale to the pan and stir until bright green and wilted. No need to cook for too long. Serve a heaping spoonful on top of rice, drizzling blue cheese dressing over the top. Add salt and pepper to taste, if needed.

overhead view of buffalo beans and greens in a pan.

This rich and filling buffalo beans and greens is sure to become a weeknight staple!

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Parmesan Beans

Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper give these canned cannelini beans new life! These Parmesan beans are an easy and delicious side dish.

The post Parmesan Beans appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I will literally (read: figuratively) eat anything that is Parmesan and black pepper flavor. There’s something about that combo that is so insanely satisfying to my palate. But I guess that’s why Cacio e Pepe is such a classic. And since I love turning a humble can of beans into something delicious, I decided to give a couple of cans of cannellini beans the Parmesan-pepper treatment. The end result is kind of like refried beans, but using a different bean and with a different flavor profile! Easy and delish!

Overhead view of a skillet full of Parmesan beans with a wooden spoon.

What’s in Parmesan Beans?

This super simple side dish only has seven simple ingredients and only takes about twenty minutes to make! And since I usually have ALL of these ingredients on hand, Parmesan beans are going to be my new go-to side dish. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Parmesan Beans:

  • Cannellini Beans: I like Cannellini beans for this recipe because they have a soft and creamy texture, but also retain enough shape so that you’re not left with complete mush. Their flavor is also mild enough to not overpower the Parmesan.
  • Garlic: A little sautéed fresh garlic gives this recipe a nice deep base flavor. Plus, all good recipes start with sautéed garlic, ammiright?
  • Olive Oil: The oil is used to both sautée the garlic AND give the beans a little more body and richness. You need a little fat in there to smooth it all out.
  • Chicken Broth: Simmering the beans in a little bit of broth adds more flavor and helps create that saucy texture.
  • Parmesan & Pepper: The two main flavor players! I can never get enough of Parmesan and pepper together. I’ve listed amounts below, but really, just measure with your heart. ❤️

Can I Use a Different Bean?

Cannelini beans really are the best choice for this dish because of their flavor, texture, and size, but you could probably get away with Great Northern Beans or navy beans. Both of these varieties also have a mild and creamy flavor and texture, but they are smaller in size. Navy beans also tend to break down faster, which may result in a mushier texture.

What to Serve with Parmesan Beans

Parmesan beans are such a neutral side dish that they’ll go with so many different meals. Today I served them with some baked chicken drumsticks and roasted broccoli, but they’d also go great with: Tomato Basil Chicken, Creamy Pesto Chicken, or Lemon Pepper Chicken.

Overhead view of Parmesan Beans on a plate with chicken and broccoli.
Close up side view of a wooden spoon stirring Parmesan Beans.
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Parmesan Beans

Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper give these canned cannelini beans new life! These Parmesan beans are an easy and delicious side dish.
Course Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $2.97 recipe / $0.74 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 ½ cup each
Calories 259kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mince the garlic and add it to a large skillet with the olive oil. Sauté the garlic over medium heat for about one minute.
  • Drain, but do not rinse, the Cannellini beans. Add the beans and broth to the skillet with the garlic. Stir to combine.
  • Allow the beans to come up to a simmer. Simmer the beans, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until they've thickened slightly. The spoon should leave a trail in the beans as you stir.
  • Add the Parmesan and pepper to the beans. Stir to combine. Taste the beans and adjust the Parmesan, pepper, or add salt if needed. Serve hot!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 736mg | Fiber: 11g
Close up side view of a wooden spoon stirring Parmesan Beans.

How to Make Parmesan – Step by Step Photos

Sautéed garlic in a skillet with olive oil.

Mince two cloves of garlic and add them to a large skillet with two tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the garlic over medium heat for about one minute.

Bean added to the skillet, broth being poured in the side.

Drain but don’t rinse two 15oz. cans of Cannellini beans. Add them to the skillet along with ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth. Stir to combine.

Simmered beans in the skillet being stirred with a spoon.

Allow the beans to come up to a simmer. Simmer the beans, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until they become thick and saucy. There should be a trail left by the spoon when stirred.

Pepper and Parmesan being added to the skillet.

Add ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper and ⅓ cup Parmesan (grated or shredded) to the beans. Stir until the Parmesan has melted into the beans.

Thickened beans being stirred with a spoon.

The Parmesan will help thicken the beans considerably. Give the beans a taste and adjust the Parmesan, pepper, or add salt if needed.

Finished beans in the skillet with a wooden spoon.

Serve the beans immediately, while still hot. The beans will thicken and solidify when cooled.

Overhead view of Parmesan beans on a plate with chicken and broccoli.

More Easy Bean Recipes

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Saucy White Beans with Spinach

Saucy white beans with spinach is an easy and filling meal made with canned beans that you can throw together on a busy weeknight.

The post Saucy White Beans with Spinach appeared first on Budget Bytes.

When I need dinner quickly, I often turn to canned beans. They’re inexpensive (still, thankfully), shelf-stable so I can keep them on hand, and they can be easily transformed into a simple but delicious meal using ingredients in my pantry. These Saucy White Beans with Spinach are one of those quick canned bean concoctions that I made one night when I was hungry. They’re easy, cozy, filling, and inexpensive!

Overhead view of a skillet full of saucy white beans with garlic bread on the side.

What’s in Saucy White Beans?

This is a SUPER easy skillet meal made simply with some canned white beans, garlic, tomatoes, a few herbs, and fresh spinach. Boom. That’s it. Simple, delicious food, just the way I like it! That being said, you can always add more things if you want to make it a little fancier. ;)

What Else Can I Add?

If you have the time and energy to make your meal a little more complex, here are a few things you can add to take your saucy white beans up a notch:

  • Bacon, salt pork, Italian sausage, or pancetta: sauté the bacon in the skillet first and use the rendered fat in place of the olive oil.
  • Burrata or ricotta: after the beans are finished cooking, dot on a few dollops of fresh cheese for a nice creamy contrast.
  • Fresh basil: if you’re lucky enough to have a basil plant, toss a few fresh leaves on top for some bold, fresh flavor!
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: if you don’t have access to fresh grape tomatoes, these beans would also be great with a few chopped sun dried tomatoes.
  • Toasted bread crumbs: Add a crunchy topping by mixing some melted butter with bread crumbs and briefly toasting them in a skillet or in a hot oven, then sprinkle them over the skillet.
  • A pinch or two of crushed red pepper will add a nice spicy kick!

How to Serve Saucy White Beans

My preferred way to enjoy these beans is with a side of garlic bread for dipping up that saucy goodness. But if you’re not into garlic bread, you can add some cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is mixed together for a quick bowl of pasta. OR, spoon your saucy white beans over a bed of rice.

And I’m all about adding a quick and easy side salad to every meal just to add a dose of freshness!

Overhead view of a bowl of saucy white beans with garlic bread on the side.
Finished white beans in the skillet with garlic bread in the side.
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Saucy White Beans with Spinach

Saucy white beans with spinach is an easy and filling meal made with canned beans that you can throw together on busy weeknight.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.69 recipe / $1.42 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 1 cup
Calories 361kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced $0.32
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.26
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved $2.29
  • 2 15oz. cans cannellini beans, drained $1.78
  • 1/2 cup water $0.00
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.36
  • 2 cups fresh spinach $0.60
  • 1/8 tsp salt $0.01

Instructions

  • Mince the garlic and slice the tomatoes in half. Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium. Add the garlic and sauté for about one minute, or just until the garlic becomes very fragrant.
  • Add the tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine.
  • Add the drained canned white beans to the skillet (do not rinse the beans, the residual starchy liquid helps create the sauce), along with the water, oregano, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Allow the beans to come up to a simmer. Simmer the beans, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and the liquid reduces to a light sauce (about 5 minutes).
  • Add the Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until it has melted into the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick or dry, you can add a splash of water to loosen it up.
  • Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow the spinach to wilt.
  • Taste the beans and adjust the salt, pepper, or other seasonings to your liking. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 213mg | Fiber: 12g
Close up side view of saucy white beans in the skillet.

How to Make Saucy White Beans – Step by Step Photos

Garlic and oil in the skillet.

Mince four cloves of garlic. Add 2 Tbsp olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute, or just until the garlic becomes really fragrant.

Tomatoes added to the skillet.

Add one pint of grape tomatoes (sliced in half) to the skillet and stir to combine.

White beans being poured into the skillet.

Drain two 15oz. cans of white beans, then add them to the skillet. I do not rinse the beans because the little bit of residual starchy liquid (called aquafaba) helps create the sauce.

Herbs and water added to the skillet.

Also add ½ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper, and ½ cup water. Stir to combine, then allow the beans to come up to a simmer.

Simmered beans and tomatoes.

Simmer the beans, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and the liquid has reduced into a light sauce.

Grated Parmesan being sprinkled into the skillet.

Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan to the skillet. Stir the Parmesan into the beans until it has melted in. If the sauce becomes too dry, you can add a little more water to loosen it up a bit.

Fresh spinach added to the skillet.

Add two big handfuls (about two cups, loosely packed) of fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir the spinach into the beans and allow the spinach to wilt.

Finished saucy white beans with spinach.

Once the spinach is wilted, give the beans a taste and add salt, pepper, or other seasonings to taste.

Finished white beans in the skillet with garlic bread in the side.

Serve immediately with garlic bread, pasta, or a bowl of rice to sop up all that delicious sauciness!

More Easy Bean Recipes

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