Creamy Spiced White Beans (Printable)
Tender white beans and mushrooms in smoky cream sauce topped with crispy cheddar herb crust.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beans & Vegetables
01 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 cup vegetable broth
→ Creamy Sauce
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream
08 - 1/4 cup cream cheese or vegan cream cheese
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
11 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Cheddar Herb Topping
13 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or plant-based alternative)
14 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp fresh chives or thyme, chopped
17 - 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
03 - Add mushrooms and cook until golden and most of the moisture has evaporated, about 6 minutes.
04 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the drained white beans.
05 - Sprinkle in smoked paprika, cumin, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly coat all ingredients.
06 - Pour in vegetable broth and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
07 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese. Cook gently until the mixture is creamy and well-blended, about 3 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - In a small bowl, toss together shredded cheddar, panko breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, and melted butter or olive oil until evenly combined.
09 - Sprinkle the cheddar herb topping evenly over the beans and mushrooms in the skillet.
10 - Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the topping is golden and bubbling.
11 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with crusty bread or a fresh salad.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky paprika and cumin make these beans taste like they simmered all day, even though the whole thing comes together in under an hour.
- That cheddar herb topping gets so crunchy and golden you will catch yourself picking pieces off the edge of the skillet before dinner officially starts.
02 -
- Do not rush the mushroom browning step because pale, watery mushrooms will make the whole dish taste flat instead of deeply savory.
- If your skillet is not oven safe, simply transfer the bean mixture to a baking dish before adding the topping and baking.
03 -
- Taste the bean mixture before adding the topping because adjusting salt at this stage is your last chance to get the seasoning right throughout the entire dish.
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before stirring it in so it blends smoothly without leaving cold lumps in the sauce.