Garlicky Alfredo Beans

Published April 25, 2024

Garlicky Alfredo Beans
Kerri Brewer for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.
Total Time
20 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Rating
5(254)
Notes
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This five-ingredient recipe transforms canned beans into a no-fuss, comforting meal that’s easy to whip together at the end of a long day. The beans are doused in a creamy, garlic-infused sauce that’s inspired by Alfredo, and topped with crunchy garlic chips. Choosing the right beans for this recipe might feel intimidating, but the most important thing to remember is texture. Beans that hold their shape and won’t immediately disappear in the sauce are ideal: butter (or lima), Great Northern or garbanzo beans will make great contenders for this recipe. When pan-frying the sliced garlic into chips, you’ll want to mix attentively for the best results, since the delicate garlic chips can burn very easily. Crunchy and flavorful, they’re worth the effort.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • ¼cup unsalted butter
  • 8garlic cloves, thinly sliced, plus 1 garlic clove, finely grated
  • Kosher salt
  • 2(15-ounce) cans white beans, rinsed
  • ¾cup heavy cream
  • ½cup/2 ounces finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

561 calories; 32 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 49 grams carbohydrates; 10 grams dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 22 grams protein; 905 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Line a small plate with a paper towel.

  2. Step 2

    In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the butter and sliced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Once the butter starts to foam, start lifting the garlic to check its color and continue cooking and stirring until it starts to turn golden, another minute. (The garlic can burn very easily — and can continue to darken and cook after it’s been removed from the heat — so make sure to keep an eye on the pot and remove the garlic before it reaches a dark golden color.)

  3. Step 3

    Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic chips to the paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.

  4. Step 4

    Add the beans, heavy cream, Parmesan and a hefty pinch of salt to the pot; stir to combine.

  5. Step 5

    Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring gently but frequently, for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.

  6. Step 6

    Stir in the grated garlic and continue simmering for 2 minutes, until fragrant.

  7. Step 7

    Divide among bowls. Top with additional Parmesan and the garlic chips.

Ratings

5 out of 5
254 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Diabetics (who can’t tolerate many carbs) or people w/celiac disease (who can’t tolerate any gluten) will deeply, deeply appreciate recipes that emulate dishes they can no longer enjoy.

I was startled by how good this was. I used one can of navy beans and one can of cannellini beans. I added two large handfuls of baby spinach at the end and let it wilt. I also added some finally graded nutmeg, since that's what I do when I'm making Alfredo. The dish was very, very good.

For people who prefer beans to pasta, or who can't tolerate wheat. Or those who find that beans keep their blood sugar levels more stable. Or people who have run out of pasta but who have a few cans of beans in the pantry!

Would like to have known whether the sauce should have thickened to where it was actually "thick" or at least some movement in the sauce? As cooking for one, cut recipe in half. Used great northern beans and half-n-half. Garlic chips were great- maybe a bit under-crisped. Very much enjoyed and will cook again. Maybe getting sauce from "thick" to a little bit creamy. Easy recipe and one more meatless dinner!

Super good! I added spinach and rice! It turned out great! I will use less cream next time! 10/10

It took more cook time than indicated to reduce enough. But with some wine, the flavor improved. It must be said that the crispy bacon I added to the leftovers the next day made it really spectacular.

It was very good! I used a little more parm and cream than recommended. I also added a splash of garlic vinaigrette and some white wine to the sauce along with a little frozen spinach. I served it on top of oven roasted broccoli and bell peppers and it was great! A comforting and hearty vegetarian dinner option

Very good vampire repellant, and also very tasty. Trying to add in more diverse veggies to our diet so added some canned artichokes. Also added paprika, black pepper, rosemary, and fresh sage. It is really easy to burn the sliced garlic. I turned around to grab a spoon and turned back and lost a quarter of it.

Would like to have known whether the sauce should have thickened to where it was actually "thick" or at least some movement in the sauce? As cooking for one, cut recipe in half. Used great northern beans and half-n-half. Garlic chips were great- maybe a bit under-crisped. Very much enjoyed and will cook again. Maybe getting sauce from "thick" to a little bit creamy. Easy recipe and one more meatless dinner!

Easy, delicious. Can’t wait to make it again this fall/winter for my GF friend.

So delicious and easy! I subbed half-and-half for the heavy cream, and added some fresh basil and Italian parsley at the end that I was growing.

Absolutely delicious, I was a bit weary since I'm not a big fan of beans but this was fantastic. I made it with a side of asparagus and added a dash of Italian seasoning and some lemon juice as well. I wish I made more because this will be gone in no time!

My disclaimer is that I’m new to using plant-based milk. Decided to use a plant-based half-n-half. Note to self: don’t use one that has coconut milk in it. Will try again!

Wow! Great. So easy and decadent. Loved the garlic chips

Kept the tasty bean juice as a base, used homemade cashew cream instead of heavy cream and it was great. Why are we not adding a bit more liquid and calling this a great apres ski soup? Great recipe and a great start to other great meals.

I was really impressed by this! I'm often disappointed by these "transform a can of beans in 20 minutes" type recipes, but I made this for myself on an evening when my picky partner was out and it was good enough that I plan to make it again when he's home. It definitely needs some green either added to it or alongside. I threw in a huge handful of baby spinach as others suggested, and next time I would add even more. Used butter beans.

Probably more like 2-3 servings if it’s a main dish but absolutely delicious. I used great northern beans and it worked out great. I was nervous about burning the garlic chips so mine were a step below crispy and it still turned out fantastic, I’m sure it will be better next time with actually crispy garlic. Will be a once monthly treat though because this much cream and butter and parmesan kinda destroyed my stomach the next day lol.

Since I don't usually keep cream in the house, I wonder if Greek yogurt would work as well?

I was startled by how good this was. I used one can of navy beans and one can of cannellini beans. I added two large handfuls of baby spinach at the end and let it wilt. I also added some finally graded nutmeg, since that's what I do when I'm making Alfredo. The dish was very, very good.

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