Smoky Butter Bean Skillet with Garlic Toast
Creamy butter beans simmer in smoky tomato sauce and pair with crisp garlic toast for a fast, hearty dinner.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 30 · Total: 40 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (167 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
An original pantry dinner built around creamy butter beans, smoky tomato sauce, and crisp garlic toast.
Story
Theo likes a dinner that can feed a table without requiring a parade of side dishes. The beans turn creamy in their smoky tomato bath, and the garlic toast gives the whole skillet a satisfying crunch. A little vinegar at the end keeps it from feeling sleepy. It is the kind of road-trip stop you wish you could order twice.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices country bread
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, divided
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cans butter beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 F and place the bread on a baking sheet.
- Brush the bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil, rub with a cut garlic clove, and toast until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, warm the remaining olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onion and bell pepper until softened, about 6 minutes.
- Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, salt, crushed tomatoes, and the remaining grated garlic, then simmer for 8 minutes.
- Fold in the butter beans and spinach and simmer until the beans are hot and the greens are wilted, about 6 minutes.
- Stir in vinegar, scatter parsley over the skillet, and serve the smoky beans with the garlic toast.
Chef Tips
- Use a wide skillet so the tomato sauce thickens quickly and the beans stay in one layer.
- Rinse canned beans well to keep the sauce bright and balanced.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the smoked paprika for extra heat.
- The bean skillet keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheats gently on the stove.
Cook's Notes
- Let the onion and pepper soften fully before adding the tomatoes for the sweetest sauce.
- Keep the simmer gentle so the beans stay intact.
- Add the vinegar off the heat so its brightness stays clear.
- Toast the bread just before serving for the best crunch.