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Justine Doiron

just real good food

Beans + Grains + Bowls, Gluten Free, Recipes, Special Diets, Vegetarian · May 4, 2023

Beans a Limone

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This simple, easy beans a limone recipe is a take on pasta a limone, with of course a few liberties taken. What this leaves you with is a creamy, dreamy lemony sauce spooned around butter beans. Just a few of my absolute favorite things. It’s easy to make, quick to assemble and done in 30 minutes. This is one of my most satisfying meals, and of course, if you choose to add pasta to the mix, I wouldn’t blame you 🙂

Table of contents

  • What is pasta a limone?
  • Ingredients you will need for beans a limone
  • How to make these beans a limone
  • Looking for other bean-based recipes?
  • Watch the recipe here

What is pasta a limone?

Pasta a limone is a traditional Italian dish, usually only using pasta, lemon juice, butter and parmesan cheese. This dish has been adapted in many western styles of cooking, with some recipes using white wine and some using heavy cream, and of course, some using both! I was taught with the cream version, but of course, if you want to swap this for cashew cream of vegan cream, that’s totally doable here, too. This isn’t like authentic pasta a limone, but I think that’s part of the charm!

Ingredients you will need for beans a limone

I love a short ingredients list, it’s easy for me and it’s easy for you, too. Here’s everything you need for this simple bean dinner:

  • 3 15 oz. cans of butter beans
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream, vegan cream also works well here
  • 2 lemons for zest and juice
  • 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, vegan butter also works here
  • 2 ounces freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/4 cup curly parsley, finely chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to make these beans a limone

  • Drain and rinse the butter beans.
  • Zest both lemons into a large dutch oven. Then juice just one lemon, setting aside about 3 tablespoons of juice.
  • Add the heavy cream to the dutch oven and bring it to a slight simmer. Then, whisking constantly, add in 1 tablespoon of butter at a time, adding another as soon as the prior one is combined into the sauce.
  • Add the beans into the sauce and stir, letting simmer another 5-6 minutes to let the sauce thicken around the beans. Grate in the parmesan and stir to create a smooth and glossy sauce.
  • Add in the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste. It shouldn’t need much.
  • Serve on four plates and scatter the parsley on top. Serve warm!

Looking for other bean-based recipes?

Here are a few of my favorites!

Garlic Bread Beans
These beans might be plant-forward, garlic-forward, and delicious, but believe it or not, they were inspired by classic garlic bread. This recipe uses 100 garlic cloves (casual) but turns into something incredible. It's an easy, saucy recipe that's both filling and wholesome, and if you're into garlic, it will definitely leave you wanting more!
Check out this recipe
Creamy Orzo, Butter Beans & Greens
This healthy, comforting orzo dish is filled with flavor but built on simple ingredients. It is naturally plant-based, but if you're looking so grate a little parmesan on top, I wouldn't argue! This recipe can be made with dried or canned beans, which are then simmered with aromatics and finished with a bit of lemon. Pair it with crispy kale and it comes out to be a wholesome and hearty full meal.
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Beans
These spicy-sweet sweet potato beans are my dream beans. They use unexpected ingredients like kalamata olives (delicious), calabrian chili and of course, sweet potato to turn the unexpectedly humble canned bean into something delicious.
Check out this recipe

And that’s it for this beans a limone recipe! It’s short and sweet this time <3

If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.

And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3

Watch the recipe here

The video may not fully represent the recipe. For best results, follow the instructions as written.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Justine Doiron (@justine_snacks)

Beans a Limone

5 from 1 vote
This recipe is another take on pasta sauce on beans, but wow is it simple and delicious. It is a rich, filling meal that absolutely makes me feel cozy and comfortable. Plus, you can easily use vegan subs for it. And of course, if you want to add pasta to the mix, that wouldn't be bad at all, either.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes mins
Cook Time:12 minutes mins
Total Time:30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Italian
Keyword: beans, butter beans, lemon
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large pot

Ingredients

  • 3 15 oz. cans of butter beans
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream vegan cream also works well here
  • 2 lemons for zest and juice
  • 6 tablespoons cold salted butter vegan butter also works here
  • 2 ounces freshly grated parmesan
  • 1/4 cup curly parsley finely chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse the butter beans.
  • Zest both lemons into a large dutch oven. Then juice just one lemon, setting aside about 3 tablespoons of juice.
  • Add the heavy cream to the dutch oven and bring it to a slight simmer. Then, whisking constantly, add in 1 tablespoon of butter at a time, adding another as soon as the prior one is combined into the sauce.
  • Add the beans into the sauce and stir, letting simmer another 5-6 minutes to let the sauce thicken around the beans. Grate in the parmesan and stir to create a smooth and glossy sauce.
  • Add in the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste. It shouldn't need much.
  • Serve on four plates and scatter the parsley on top. Serve warm!

Posted In: Beans + Grains + Bowls, Gluten Free, Recipes, Special Diets, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marissa says

    May 8, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was so delicious and insanely quick and easy to put together! You’ve really put me on to the butter bean train and I’m never getting off.

  2. Amy says

    May 10, 2023 at 6:47 am

    Hi! Would you mind sharing what brand of vegan cream you use? Having a hard time finding one. Many thanks in advance!

    • Justine says

      May 11, 2023 at 12:47 pm

      Califa farms’ version is INCREDIBLE for this!

  3. Kenzie says

    May 10, 2023 at 7:49 pm

    Absolutely delicious! I’m a huge fan of pasta a limone, so this seemed like a no-brainer. Easy and quick to make, and honestly very inexpensive 🙂 With a side of toast, this was a perfect meal!

  4. Olivia says

    May 11, 2023 at 12:36 am

    Was so excited to try this and it didn’t disappoint! Easy to make and very flavorful!

    • Justine says

      May 11, 2023 at 12:44 pm

      I’m so glad you made it and liked it! It’s one of my absolute favorites 🙂

  5. Hope Davis says

    May 13, 2023 at 4:52 am

    How would a mix of butter beans and cannellini beans work? Butter beans are more expensive at my store so I like to “water them down” so to speak.

    • Justine says

      May 13, 2023 at 11:38 am

      Any bean will work! That swap is totally fine 🙂

  6. Kate Williamson says

    May 17, 2023 at 12:53 am

    This absolutely ruled and was so easy!

    • Justine says

      May 17, 2023 at 1:05 am

      YAY I’m so glad you liked it!

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