These Viral Butter Beans alla Vodka Are the Easiest Weeknight Dinner

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(1)

It's the perfect comfort food dish for fall.

1
A bowl of butter beans alla vodka topped with parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and served with toasted bread
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4

This Butter Beans Alla Vodka dish is an easy and budget friendly meal made with a simple vodka sauce and a can of beans.

Beans Alla Vodka is surprisingly packed with flavor and texture. The size and chew of the large butter beans is actually quite similar to that of penne, which made the textural components very similar to a classic penne alla vodka dish.

A drizzle of balsamic vinegar atop the final dish is a critical component that really makes this meal stand out, as it elevates all of the already delicious flavors and brings a slight, bright acidity to the mix. A generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese melts decadently into the hot sauce and warmed balsamic, and a sprinkle of earthy fresh parsley adds a pop of crisp color and flavor. You're guaranteed an Instagrammable steamy cheese pull moment, so have your phone ready when you dig into this gorgeous comfort food dish.

A bowl of butter beans alla vodka topped with parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and balsamic vinegar

AllRecipes/Diana Chistruga

How To Make Butter Beans alla Vodka

For the easiest way to recreate this dish: just grab a jar of store-bought vodka sauce and add it to a pot with 2 15-ounce cans butter beans that have been drained and rinsed. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until bubbling and heated through. Serve topped with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Or try making it from scratch with this recipe. It's simple, delicious, budget-friendly, and leaves you with extra sauce for freezing and using again later for future meals (or for multiplying this recipe—just remember to grab more butter beans!).

Editorial contributions by Christine Fiorentino.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/2 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and very thinly sliced

  • 1 teaspoons kosher salt, divided (more or less if desired)

  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with basil

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon vodka

  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans butter beans, drained and rinsed

  • balsamic vinegar for serving

  • chili flakes for serving

  • chopped fresh parsley for serving

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make butter beans alla vodka

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  2. Melt butter in a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and season with ½ teaspoon salt. Cook until onions are soft, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking until onions are translucent but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

    A large pot with chopped onion and garlic cooking in melted butter

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  3. Add tomato paste and stir until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine. Cook until the sauce thickens, stirring often, about 10 minutes.

    A large pot of tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, onions, and garlic being stirred with a wooden spoon

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  4. Add heavy cream. For slightly chunky sauce, stir to combine. For smooth sauce, puree using an immersion blender.

    A large pot with a creamy, smooth tomato sauce

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  5. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Once combined, reduce to medium-low heat. Add vodka and bring sauce to low simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

    A large pot of vodka tomato sauce

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  6. Transfer half of the sauce to an airtight container. Refrigerate or freeze for future use.

    A pot of vodka sauce next to a glass container with vodka sauce

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  7. Add beans to remaining sauce and gently stir to combine. Allow to sit at a simmer for 2-3 minutes.

    A large pot of butter beans in vodka sauce

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

  8. Serve drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chili flakes and chopped parsley.

    A bowl of butter beans alla vodka topped with parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and served with toasted bread

    Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

830 Calories
44g Fat
79g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 830
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 44g 57%
Saturated Fat 27g 136%
Cholesterol 129mg 43%
Sodium 860mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 79g 29%
Dietary Fiber 22g 77%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 27g 54%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Calcium 260mg 20%
Iron 9mg 53%
Potassium 2337mg 50%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.