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Looking to impress with a simple, tasty dish? The Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet Delight is your answer! With creamy white beans and vibrant spinach, this dish comes together quickly. It’s loaded with flavor, thanks to garlic, onion, and spices. Whether it’s a casual dinner or a special occasion, you’ll want to keep this recipe close. Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps to make this love-at-first-bite meal!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy Ingredients: With white beans and fresh spinach, this dish is packed with nutrients, protein, and fiber.
- Flavorful: The combination of spices, garlic, and lemon juice creates a deliciously vibrant flavor profile.
- Versatile: This skillet dish can be served on its own, with bread, or over grains like quinoa for a filling meal.
Ingredients
List of Main Ingredients
– 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), rinsed and drained
– 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
– 1 medium yellow onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
White beans are the star of this dish. They give you protein and fiber. I prefer using cannellini or great northern beans. They are soft and creamy. Fresh spinach adds a vibrant color and nutrients. The onion and garlic provide a strong base of flavor.
Seasonings and Oils
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
The seasonings really bring this dish to life. Ground cumin and smoked paprika add warmth and depth. Red pepper flakes give it a nice kick. Olive oil helps everything cook and adds richness.
Additional Components
– 1 cup vegetable broth
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Vegetable broth keeps the dish moist and adds flavor. A squeeze of lemon brightens the whole skillet. Salt and pepper are essential for balance. Finally, fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepping the Ingredients
– First, rinse and drain the white beans. This helps remove excess salt and starch.
– Next, chop the fresh spinach into bite-sized pieces.
– Dice the onion into small squares for even cooking.
Cooking Process
– Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
– Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes. You want it soft and clear.
– Toss in the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir for a minute until it smells good.
– Now, stir in the rinsed and drained white beans.
– Pour in the vegetable broth and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes.
Final Steps
– Gradually add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts down, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
– Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the dish. Mix everything well, adding salt and pepper to taste.
– Finally, remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
For a rustic look, serve it straight from the skillet. Enjoy with warm bread or over quinoa!
Tips & Tricks
Cooking Tips
To get the best flavor from your onions and garlic, heat your olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion first. Cook it for about 5 minutes until it’s soft and clear. Then add the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir these well and let them cook for about a minute. This helps release their flavors.
If you like more spice, just add more red pepper flakes. Start small, taste, and then adjust as needed. Remember, it’s easier to add than to take away!
Serving Suggestions
For a great meal, serve your Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet with warm crusty bread. It’s perfect for dipping! You can also serve it over a bed of quinoa. This adds texture and makes the meal heartier.
For a rustic look, serve the skillet directly on the table. Garnish it with fresh parsley. You can drizzle a little olive oil on top right before serving. It adds a nice shine!
Enhancing Flavor
To make this dish even more exciting, consider adding a pinch of extra cumin or a dash of lemon zest. This can brighten the dish. You can also mix in some cherry tomatoes or bell peppers for more color and taste.
If you need to make swaps for dietary needs, you can use vegetable broth for chicken broth. For a vegan option, make sure your vegetable broth is truly plant-based. You can also replace white beans with chickpeas or lentils if you prefer.
Pro Tips
- Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach adds a vibrant flavor and texture to the dish. If you’re using frozen spinach, ensure it’s well-drained to avoid excess moisture.
- Customize the Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste. For a milder dish, reduce the quantity or omit it altogether.
- Enhance with Additional Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to increase the nutritional value and add variety to the flavor profile.
- Perfect Pairings: This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a grain like quinoa. Consider serving with a side salad for a complete meal.

Variations
Protein Additions
You can add protein to the Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet. Chicken, shrimp, or tofu all work well. For chicken, cook bite-sized pieces in the skillet before the onion. This ensures it cooks through. Shrimp can be added after the garlic for a quick cook. Tofu is great for a vegan option. Just cube it and sauté until golden. Each protein change gives the dish a new taste.
Vegetarian or Vegan Modifications
This recipe is already vegetarian. To make it vegan, ensure all ingredients align with vegan diets. Use vegetable broth for the base. This keeps the dish plant-based. You can also skip the lemon juice if you prefer a milder flavor. The recipe remains delicious without any animal products.
Flavor Profile Changes
You can boost the flavor in this dish by adding different spices. Try curry powder for an Indian twist. Or add Italian herbs like oregano and basil for a Mediterranean vibe. If you like heat, increase the red pepper flakes. You can also stir in sun-dried tomatoes for added depth. Each change gives you a chance to create your own version.
Storage Info
Proper Storage Techniques
To keep your Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet fresh, store it right. First, let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the leftovers into a clean container. A glass or BPA-free plastic container works best. Make sure it has an airtight seal to keep moisture out.
Reheating Instructions
When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, there are a few ways to reheat them. You can use the stovetop for even heating. Place the skillet over low heat and stir often. Alternatively, you can use a microwave. Just cover it with a lid or a microwave-safe wrap to keep the moisture in. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
Shelf Life
This delicious skillet dish can last up to three days in the fridge. If you need to keep it longer, consider freezing it. In the freezer, it can stay good for up to three months. Just remember to label the container with the date, so you know when you made it!
FAQs
What can I serve with Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet?
You can pair this dish with many sides. Here are some great options:
– Crusty bread for dipping
– Quinoa for added texture
– Brown rice for a hearty meal
– A fresh garden salad for crunch
– Roasted vegetables for extra flavor
These sides will make your meal more filling and fun!
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this dish in advance. Here are some simple tips:
– Cook and cool the skillet dish, then store it in an airtight container.
– Keep it in the fridge for up to three days.
– Reheat it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
This way, you can enjoy it whenever you want!
What are the health benefits of white beans and spinach?
White beans and spinach are packed with nutrients. Here’s what they offer:
– White beans: High in protein and fiber, they support digestion and heart health.
– Spinach: Loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, it boosts immunity and bone health.
Together, they make a balanced meal that is both tasty and healthy!
This blog post covers a tasty Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet. You learned about the main ingredients, like white beans and spinach, and the right spices to use. The step-by-step guide shows how to prep and cook the dish perfectly. We shared tips for serving, storage, and tasty variations.
Overall, this dish is simple, healthy, and full of flavor. I hope you feel inspired to try it toda
Marry Me White Bean and Spinach Skillet
A delightful and healthy skillet dish featuring white beans and fresh spinach, perfect for a quick meal.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal
- 2 cans white beans (cannellini or great northern), rinsed and drained
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 lemon Juice of
- to taste Salt and pepper
- for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Stir in the rinsed and drained white beans. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Gradually add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts down, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the skillet and mix everything together, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve this dish directly from the skillet for a rustic look. Pair it with warm crusty bread or over a bed of quinoa for added texture. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil for shine just before serving.
Keyword healthy, skillet, spinach, vegetarian, white beans
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