Making Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans helps follow a more Mediterranean-style diet.\u00a0\u00a0Beans have protein and fiber and are an inexpensive pantry staple.\u00a0The dish can be adapted to fit certain diets, and it\u2019s made with ingredients you probably have on hand.<\/p>\n
Beans are on regular rotation in our house, and that\u2019s not just because I\u2019m a dietitian (though that might also have something to do with it). If you\u2019re like me and rising grocery prices are giving you sticker shock at the checkout, beans have your back. Compared to other proteins, beans remain a budget-friendly staple<\/a> that\u2019s a real nutrition powerhouse too\u2014so you\u2019re getting your money\u2019s worth. Not to mention, if one of your goals is to follow a Mediterranean-style eating pattern, plant-based proteins<\/a> like beans just happen to be a foundational food.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n But I know that not everyone loves beans as much as I do. They have a reputation for being boring and bland, but that doesn\u2019t have to be the case. They just need plenty of seasoning or a flavorful sauce to help them shine, like most proteins do. That\u2019s one of the many reasons why I love these broccoli-Cheddar butter beans<\/a>. Butter beans don\u2019t have much flavor on their own, but their creamy and tender texture pairs perfectly with the flavors of a classic comfort food like broccoli-Cheddar soup. It\u2019s guaranteed to convert even the biggest bean skeptic.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Why I Love Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans When you\u2019re looking to apply some of the principles of the Mediterranean-style diet<\/a>, it\u2019s a smart move to put this butter bean skillet on the dinner menu. This research-backed healthful eating pattern puts a heavy emphasis on eating a variety of plants<\/a>\u2014 including vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains\u2014and this butter bean skillet fits right in. Beans offer a winning combo of both protein and fiber to help fill you up, while broccoli adds color and a host of antioxidants to this dish. When you\u2019re building your meals around such nutrient-dense foods<\/a>, it\u2019s no wonder that the Mediterranean-style diet is associated with heart health<\/a>, reduced diabetes risk<\/a> and longer lifespan<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n It Helps Me Eat More Beans & Fiber <\/p>\n Not to mention, most of us could use more beans in our diet. Research shows that eating more beans is linked with a lower risk of chronic diseases<\/a> like heart disease and diabetes, as well as better gut health<\/a>. In fact, there are so many positive health benefits to beans that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that everyone should be eating 1\u00bd cups of beans per week\u2014but most Americans fall short. So why not up your bean intake (and reap all the benefits) while indulging in classic comfort food flavors? You\u2019ll also score a bunch of fiber (thanks to the butter beans)\u2014just one serving of this recipe provides 12 grams of fiber, more than 40% of your daily fiber intake!\n<\/p>\n It\u2019s a Weeknight Time-Saver <\/p>\n Another reason that this broccoli-Cheddar butter beans recipe has become a staple in our dinner rotation is that it can be whipped up in just 30 minutes. As I\u2019m sure many parents to young kids know, there\u2019s nothing like the post-school rush to get something on the table. That\u2019s why I always keep my pantry stocked with a couple of varieties of canned beans, since they\u2019re such a time-saving staple<\/a>. And speaking of saving time, one-pot meals<\/a> are always on my radar because the less time I have to spend doing dishes after dinner, the better.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s Flexible <\/p>\n Although the recipe is delicious as written, I don\u2019t always have all the ingredients on hand when the craving strikes. Luckily, this recipe can be easily adapted. The fresh broccoli can be switched out for frozen in a pinch\u2014no need to even thaw it, just toss it in frozen. Plus, if you can\u2019t find butter beans, you can swap them for white beans, lima beans or even chickpeas. For those with vegan or dairy-free eaters in the family, you can adjust the recipe to accommodate them too. Simply use dairy-free versions<\/a> of butter and Cheddar cheese and swap the half-and-half for coconut milk. (That\u2019s one of my go-to plant-based swaps for creamy dishes!)\n<\/p>\n The Bottom Line <\/p>\n
\n It Embodies the Mediterranean Diet <\/p>\n