Tuscan White Bean Pasta with Caramelized Garlic, Basil, and Parmesan Recipe
Tuscan White Bean Pasta is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring caramelized garlic, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and creamy cannellini beans tossed with linguine and topped with Parmesan cheese. This hearty yet simple dish celebrates classic Italian flavors in a comforting pasta that’s easy to prepare in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz. linguine or fettuccine
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
- 10 cranks freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 15oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 oz. baby spinach
Topping
- 3 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add the linguine or fettuccine and cook according to the package directions, about 7-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic: While waiting for the water to boil, mince the garlic cloves. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until softened and fragrant, ensuring it caramelizes but does not burn.
- Sauté Tomatoes: Add the grape or cherry tomatoes, salt, freshly ground pepper, and dried basil to the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until the tomato skins burst and the tomatoes release their juices, forming a rich sauce. Stir occasionally and keep heat moderate to prevent garlic burning.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach to the tomato mixture, cooking until it is about halfway wilted, mixing well to combine flavors.
- Incorporate Beans: Add rinsed and drained cannellini beans to the skillet. Stir gently until the beans are heated through and the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed to balance flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly until the pasta is well coated with the sauce and all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese generously on top, allowing it to melt slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute the butter with additional olive oil and omit the Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Be careful to cook the garlic on medium-low heat to caramelize it without burning for optimal flavor.
- Use fresh basil if available for a brighter flavor; add it at the end along with Parmesan.
- If canned beans are unavailable, cooked dried cannellini beans can be used as a substitute.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or crusty garlic bread for a complete meal.
