Description
This creamy bean pasta is a hearty, protein-packed meal that combines tender pasta with a velvety bean sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and a touch of lemon for freshness. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is comforting, nutritious, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta of your choice (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt (for boiling water)
For the Bean Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) cannellini or white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable broth or water
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk (or regular milk)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Toss cooked pasta with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and onion, sautéing until fragrant and soft (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add the cannellini beans, vegetable broth, and unsweetened milk. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. Return to the skillet if using a blender.
- Season the Sauce:
- Stir in the lemon juice, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine:
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water, adding 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Divide the pasta into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Substitute cannellini beans with chickpeas or great northern beans for a variation.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: creamy bean pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian dinner, quick pasta dish