Creamy Bean and Potato Stew
Hearty beans, tender potatoes, and a creamy broth come together in this easy, one-pot comfort meal 🥘.
Servings: 2 portions
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup cubed guanciale bacon or pancetta
- 2 small yellow potatoes peeled and finely chopped
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- salt to taste
- 2 cups unsalted broth any variety
- 2 ¼ cups beans cooked or canned, divided
- 2 Parmigiano Reggiano rinds optional
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream to taste (optional)
- fresh parsley finely chopped, to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor or using an immersion blender, blend about ¾ cup of the cooked beans with a little of their liquid until smooth and creamy, leaving the remaining beans whole. Set the bean puree aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add guanciale (or bacon) and cook until the fat renders and the meat becomes golden and slightly crisp.
- Next, add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add chopped garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to burn.
- Stir in the finely chopped potatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Add both the whole beans and the bean puree to the pot and stir well. Add the broth and Parmigiano rinds if using. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 10–15 minutes until potatoes are soft.
- Note: the pureed beans will naturally thicken the stew and create a creamy texture without flour or starch.
- Stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust salt.
- Note: add more broth if too thick or gently simmer uncovered if too thin.
- Serve warm with chopped fresh parsley and black pepper. Enjoy!
Notes
- Dairy-free swaps: Instead of heavy cream, use your favorite dairy-free cream, yogurt, or blended cashews to give this stew its rich, creamy flavor.
- Bean varieties: Use any of your favorite white beans to make this stew, such as great northern, cannellini, or navy beans.
- Veggie add-ins: Give your stew an extra veggie boost with carrots, celery, leeks, mushrooms, zucchini, or leafy greens such as kale and spinach.
- Spice it up: Bring the heat with red chili flakes, harissa, or fresh diced red chili peppers.
- Proteins: Add in your favorite proteins, like shredded chicken, tofu cubes, or ground turkey for a hearty stew.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 bowl | Calories: 606kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 1213mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 258IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg
