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Creamy Tuscan White Bean Pasta

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A quick, budget-friendly, and comforting pasta dish featuring a creamy sauce made from pureed white beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
  • 1 can (15 ounces / 425 g) white beans, drained and rinsed (cannellini or great northern beans)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk (whole or 2%; almond milk as substitute)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or oregano and thyme mix)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. Drain and rinse white beans. Add beans and 1/4 cup (60 ml) broth to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to release flavor.
  5. Pour white bean puree into skillet with garlic and tomatoes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) broth and milk. Simmer gently, stirring often, for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in Greek yogurt or sour cream. Add dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. Toss cooked pasta into skillet with sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce and coat noodles evenly.
  8. Stir in fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if using. Toss to combine.
  9. Serve immediately while warm. Optionally garnish with extra basil leaves or a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

If sauce thickens too much when sitting, stir in a splash of broth or pasta water to revive creaminess. Use fresh basil for best flavor. For vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt with plant-based yogurt, milk with non-dairy milk, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit cheese. Avoid burning garlic to maintain flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add richness; rehydrate dry ones if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan pasta, white bean pasta, creamy pasta, budget-friendly dinner, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-tuscan-white-bean-pasta-recipe-easy-budget-friendly-dinner-idea/