These 20-Minute Creamy Beans Taste Like My Favorite Dip

They’re cheesy, hearty, and so quick to make.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
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Published January 12, 2026
Laurel Randolph
A skillet dish of baked creamy beans with spinach and artichoke topped with melted cheese

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
  • This skillet meal uses white beans, artichokes, and spinach to create a fast meatless main course.
  • Prep is easy with minimal chopping, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
  • Broiling mozzarella and parmesan on top gives a gooey, golden finish in minutes.

Spinach and artichoke are a match made in heaven, especially when garlic and cheese are involved. And while I love spinach and artichoke dip (especially warm and gooey!), I cannot be trusted around the stuff. I will eat an entire bowl in record time.

As a result, I was looking for a way to incorporate the delicious flavors of spinach and artichoke into a more nutritious main course. I already love creamy white beans, and they seemed like the perfect candidate. Not only do beans pair well with spinach and artichoke, they make a super easy, quick, and incredibly delicious weeknight meal. One that I now make regularly.

A skillet containing a baked spinach artichoke and creamy bean dish topped with melted cheese

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

The Magic of This Lightning-Fast Dinner

First, you only have to chop two things—garlic and artichoke hearts—and grate a bit of parmesan. That’s all the prep! Otherwise, you’re simply opening cans and jars and doing some stirring at the stove.

I love that this recipe uses whole packages of ingredients. Two whole cans of beans, one whole jar of marinated artichoke hearts, and one full bag of spinach. It’s so satisfying and takes away any guesswork. Instead of fooling with chicken or vegetable broth, I use the liquid from the jar of artichokes to thin out the beans and add even more flavor.

Served with some toasty bread (bonus points if it's garlic bread), you’ve got a well-rounded meal in record time.

Baked spinach artichoke white bean dish in a skillet with toasted bread on the side

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

More Pantry-Friendly Dinners

Spinach-Artichoke Creamy Beans

Prep Time 6 mins
Cook Time 14 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 (12 to 14-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained, roughly chopped, and liquid reserved

  • 5 to 6 ounces baby spinach

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup (3 ounces) finely grated parmesan cheese, divided

  • 1 heaping cup (4 to 5 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

  • Crusty toasted bread, for serving, optional

Method

  1. Preheat the oven broiler on high.

    Arrange an oven rack 4 to 6 inches below the broiler element.

  2. Cook the vegetables:

    Heat a large ovenproof skillet or braiser over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil followed by the garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the artichokes and spinach and sauté until about half of the spinach is fully wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.

    Simple Tip!

    If your pan won’t hold all of the spinach, add it in two additions, letting it wilt before adding more.

  3. Add the beans:

    Add the drained beans, 1/4 cup of the artichoke brine, and the salt and pepper to the pan. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook, smashing some of the beans to create a creamy consistency to your liking, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, adding more artichoke brine if the pan begins to look dry.

  4. Add the cheese and broil:

    Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese over the top. Stir into the beans until melted.

    Turn off the heat and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan and all of the mozzarella over the top. Transfer the pan to the broiler and cook until the cheese is bubbly throughout and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
480 Calories
20g Fat
49g Carbs
29g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 480
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 1358mg 59%
Total Carbohydrate 49g 18%
Dietary Fiber 13g 47%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 14mg 69%
Calcium 570mg 44%
Iron 7mg 38%
Potassium 1232mg 26%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.