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Creamy Tomato Butter Bean Pasta Recipe Easy Budget Meal Under 5 Dollars

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A quick, budget-friendly creamy tomato butter bean pasta that uses pantry staples to create a comforting, filling meal perfect for two.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 160g (about 5.5 oz) dried pasta of your choice (penne or fusilli work great)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) butter beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (240 ml) canned tomato sauce or passata
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or a handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 160g (5.5 oz) dried pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup (60 ml) pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent and slightly golden. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Drain and rinse 1 can (15 oz / 425g) butter beans. Reserve about half of the beans and blend or mash them until smooth to create the creamy base for the sauce.
  4. Add the blended butter beans to the skillet with onions and garlic. Stir in 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce and ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable broth or water. Mix well, then add the reserved whole butter beans for texture.
  5. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or a handful of fresh basil, a pinch of chili flakes (optional), and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce gently for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it gets too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  6. Add cooked pasta into the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Squeeze in 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Dish out immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Enjoy the creamy, comforting goodness!

Notes

Blend only half the butter beans to create a creamy sauce while retaining some texture with whole beans. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook pasta and sauce simultaneously to save time. Use medium heat to avoid burning garlic and onions. Lemon juice added at the end brightens the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy tomato pasta, butter bean pasta, budget meal, easy dinner, vegan pasta, quick pasta recipe, pantry staples, plant-based protein

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/creamy-tomato-butter-bean-pasta-recipe-easy-budget-meal-under-5-dollars/