Description
This creamy one-pot lemony leek and zucchini butter beans recipe combines crispy bacon, tender vegetables, and a luscious sauce made with sour cream, parmesan, and za’atar for a flavorful and satisfying meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 1 leek, thinly sliced
- 2 medium zucchinis (about 14-18 oz or 400-500g)
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- Zest of 1 lemon
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 x 400g cans of cannellini beans, plus their liquid
- 1 tablespoon za’atar (plus extra to finish)
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
Dairy
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup parmesan, grated
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Set a large, high-sided pan over medium-high heat then add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring, for about five minutes, until the bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside on a plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for flavor.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan, then add the sliced leek, zucchini, garlic, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks and zucchini have softened nicely, about 10 minutes. Add a splash of oil if needed during cooking.
- Add beans and sauce ingredients: Pour in the cannellini beans and their liquid, then add ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup grated parmesan, 1 tablespoon of za’atar, and 1 teaspoon of fish sauce if using. Stir well as the sour cream and cheese melt into a creamy sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and looks glossy.
- Combine with bacon and finish: Add the crispy bacon back into the pan along with most of the lemon zest. Stir through the beans to combine. Then scatter the remaining lemon zest and a little extra za’atar on top.
- Serve: Divide the butter beans between plates and enjoy hot, ideally with soft garlic flatbreads, no-knead focaccia, rosemary parmesan bread, or 2-ingredient dough naan on the side.
Notes
- This dish is protein-packed, creamy, and satisfying, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Using canned cannellini beans with their liquid helps create a flavorful sauce without extra stock or water.
- Za’atar adds a wonderful Middle Eastern herbaceous flavor; using fresh lemon zest brightens the dish.
- To keep it vegetarian, omit the bacon and fish sauce, or substitute with smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Serve with your favorite bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- If desired, add a handful of fresh herbs like parsley or mint for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 300g
- Calories: 321 calories
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1224.9 mg
- Fat: 16.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30.3 g
- Fiber: 7.3 g
- Protein: 14.7 g
- Cholesterol: 22.5 mg
