Beans and Greens is a straightforward, high-fiber meal made with cannellini beans, kale, spinach, garlic, and lemon, simmered in a light-weight broth. It’s wholesome, cozy, and prepared in about 20 minutes.

Lemony Greens and Beans
This Italian Beans and Greens recipe is a kind of back-pocket dinners I make after I need one thing nutritious, fast, and satisfying—with out turning on the oven. Creamy cannellini beans simmer in a garlicky broth with just a little crushed crimson pepper. Then, I end it with spinach, Tuscan kale, and a vibrant pop of lemon. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and full of fiber and protein (particularly when made with bone broth). Prime it with just a little Parmesan, if desired and serve it with crusty bread for an extra-special contact.
Elements You’ll Want
Utilizing canned beans–a pantry staple–makes this a fast and simple meal. Under are notes on the components for this straightforward beans and greens recipe. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.

- Olive Oil to sauté the shallots and garlic
- Aromatics: Chopped shallots and garlic
- Crushed Crimson Pepper for just a little warmth
- Canned Cannellini Beans: An reasonably priced plant-based protein supply. Drain and rinse them first.
- Broth: Use vegetarian broth to maintain the dish vegetarian, or rooster bone broth for a protein increase.
- Lemon Zest and Juice for a vibrant burst of citrus
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper for easy seasoning
- Greens: Roughly chop spinach and Tuscan kale (additionally known as dinosaur or lacinato kale). Take away the kale stems by holding the leaf the wrong way up by the stem and working your hand down to tug off the leaves.
- Parmesan Cheese provides creaminess and enhances the flavour, however be at liberty to skip it to maintain it dairy-free.
Easy methods to Make Beans and Greens
Step 3 requires an immersion blender, however a daily blender will work if that’s all you’ve. Simply add the beans to a blender, take away the plastic cap, and canopy the opening with a dish towel to let the steam escape. It’s also possible to skip this step if you happen to’re in a rush and don’t thoughts a thinner broth or mash some with a fork. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.


- Sauté the shallots, garlic, and crimson pepper in olive oil in a pot over medium-high warmth for two minutes.
- Simmer the beans: Add the cannellini beans, broth, zest, salt, and pepper, then deliver to a boil. Scale back the warmth to low, partially cowl the pot, and simmer for 15 to twenty minutes.
- Puree the beans: Enhance the warmth to medium-low, then use an immersion blender to mix a 3rd of the beans. This step will thicken the stew and make it creamier. Simply watch out to not overdo it–you continue to need loads of entire beans for texture.
- Add the greens: Stir within the kale and spinach till wilted. If the pot is simply too full, prepare dinner them in batches, including extra because the greens prepare dinner down.
- Ending touches: Take away the pot from the warmth, stir within the lemon juice, season with extra salt and pepper if wanted, and serve with Parmesan.


Serving Strategies
Variations + Swaps
- Make it spicy: Add extra crushed crimson pepper. (Or make it milder by omitting it.)
- Swap the beans: Attempt Nice Northern or navy beans
- Make it vegetarian: Use vegetable broth. To make it vegan, skip the Parmesan.
- Swap up the greens: Exchange Tuscan kale or spinach with rainbow chard, collard greens, or mustard greens. Additionally, if you happen to can’t discover Tuscan kale, curly kale will even work.
- Increase the protein: Brown Italian rooster sausage with the shallots, or stir in smoked pork or rotisserie rooster with the greens.
- Add herbs corresponding to rosemary, thyme, or basil.
Storage
- Refrigerate white beans and greens for as much as 5 days.
- Freeze in hermetic containers for as much as 3 months.
- Reheat: Thaw the dish within the fridge, then microwave or warmth on the range till heat.

Extra Bean Recipes You’ll Love
For extra aspect dish and dinner concepts, try these 5 scrumptious bean recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Yield: servings
Serving Measurement: 3 /4 cup
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Warmth a heavy backside pot over medium excessive warmth. Add the olive oil, shallot, garlicand crushed crimson pepper flakes. Cook dinner, stirring often, till starting to melt, about 2 minutes. Add the beans, bone broth, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
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Convey the combination to a boil, then flip the warmth all the way down to low. Partially cowl the pot with a lid and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, till the beans are very comfortable.
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Flip the warmth as much as medium low and use an immersion blender to mix about ⅓ of the beans. Add the spinach and kale and stir to mix; you could want to do that in batches. Cook dinner, whereas stirring, till the greens are wilted and properly combined with the beans.
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Take away from warmth and stir within the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to style. Prime with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Final Step:
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Serving: 3 /4 cup, Energy: 218.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 14.5 g, Fats: 3.5 g, Saturated Fats: 0.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 3 mg, Sodium: 329 mg, Fiber: 10.5 g, Sugar: 2 g





