26 Easy Dinner Recipes
7. Beans, Greens and Cream
Creamy beans and greens is a perfect weeknight dinner that combines protein-rich beans with nutrient-packed leafy greens. You can whip this up in minutes using ingredients from your pantry and refrigerator. This dish requires minimal kitchen equipment – just a skillet and basic utensils.
This comforting, one-pan meal is both satisfying and nutritious. The beans provide hearty protein while the greens add essential vitamins. The creamy element brings everything together into a dish that feels indulgent but is actually quite healthy.
Cooking Times
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serving Size
- Serves 4 people
- Can be easily doubled for larger families
Ingredients
- 2 cans white beans (cannellini or navy), drained and rinsed
- 4-6 cups fresh spinach or other leafy greens
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or plant-based alternative
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Italian sausage or bacon for added flavor
Preparation
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted (1-2 minutes).
- Stir in beans and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in cream, simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving.
Nutritional Info
Each serving (1 cup, approximately 250g) provides about:
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 12 g
- Total Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Calcium: 150 mg
- Iron: 3.5 mg
- Vitamin A: 3200 IU
- Vitamin C: 18 mg
- Vitamin K: 120 mcg
