Print

Creamy White Bean Pasta Sauce Recipe

Creamy White Bean Pasta Sauce Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 6 reviews

This creamy white bean pasta sauce is a healthy, flavorful alternative to traditional cream sauces. Made with white beans, garlic, onions, and olive oil, it delivers a rich and smooth texture without the heaviness of dairy. Perfect for a quick, nutritious weeknight dinner, this sauce pairs wonderfully with any type of pasta and is topped off with fresh parsley for a burst of freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 (16 oz) package pasta of your choice

Sauce

  • 1 (15.5 oz) can white beans, drained (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 medium onion, about 1 cup diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Garnish

  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook your pasta according to the package instructions in salted boiling water. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: While pasta cooks, peel and dice the onion and mince the garlic. In a frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat, then add the onion and garlic along with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
  3. Blend Sauce: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to a blender. Add the drained white beans, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Blend until completely smooth.
  4. Adjust Consistency: Add the remaining 1/2 cup pasta water to the blender and blend again until the sauce is silky and smooth, ensuring it achieves a creamy pourable consistency.
  5. Warm Sauce: Pour the blended white bean sauce back into the frying pan and gently warm it over low heat. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
  6. Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat every strand or piece evenly with the creamy sauce.
  7. Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • You can use any type of pasta, but short shapes like penne or rigatoni work well to hold the sauce.
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
  • For a vegan option, ensure your pasta contains no eggs, or use gluten-free pasta if needed.
  • The reserved pasta water is key to achieving a creamy texture and helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
  • This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, reheat gently with a splash of water to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean pasta sauce, creamy pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta sauce, healthy pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, dairy-free pasta sauce

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/creamy-white-bean-pasta-sauce-recipe/