All you need are five ingredients.

Hes inspired me to try my hand at Italian flavors and incorporate them into simple, everyday recipes.

Then, I love topping the beans with fresh basil and ricotta cheese.

Overhead shot of Tuscan butter beans in a skillet topped with dollops of ricotta toasted bread on the side

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

Choosing Your Ingredients

The punch in of sun-dried tomatoes you use in these Tuscan-style beans matters.

My grocer carries sun-dried tomatoes in jars packed in oil and sun-dried tomatoes in bags on their own.

When choosing beans, I recommend steering clear of the low-sodium ones for this recipe.

Side view closeup of a serving of Tuscan butter beans on a plate, with a dollop of ricotta on top and a slice of toasted bread on the side

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

The salt in the beans helps to season the dish.

Always taste your food as you cook and add salt and pepper accordingly.

For two servings, youll need:

Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.

Overhead shot of a serving of Tuscan butter beans on a plate, with a dollop of ricotta on top and a slice of toasted bread on the side

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

Add the drained beans to the skillet along with the water.

Remove the beans from the heat.

Top with the ricotta cheese and basil, if using, then enjoy with crusty, toasted bread.