The 15-Minute Dinner I’m Making All Fall Long

It’s creamy, cheesy, and a complete meal.

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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Updated October 02, 2025
Laurel Randolph
Overhead view of a stoneware bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans next to a spoon and all on a white background

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

Why Make This

  • Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans deliver cozy, cheesy comfort in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy fall nights.
  • Five ingredients plus pantry staples add up to a complete meal with beans, veggies, and protein. 

All I want once autumn arrives is cozy. A cozy cup of hot tea, a cozy blanket, a cozy mystery. This applies to food, too. I just want comforting, warming dishes that I can feel from my mouth to my toes—soups, stews, roasts, and the like. The only problem? These dishes tend to take time to cook and develop their flavors.

And while I’m in a cozy state of mind during the fall months, I’m also busy. While slowly cooking a pot roast all day can be a nice activity, I’m not always free to indulge in that much lazy kitchen time. That got me searching for a dish that still feels comforting, filling, and warming without the time commitment.

That dish is creamy beans. You just need a few pantry staples and 15 minutes to make a bowl of goodness that’s sure to warm you up. I’ve made plenty of variations, including Marry Me Beans, but this broccoli cheddar number is one of my favorites. I love the classic combo of broccoli and cheese, and they pair so well with white beans. Plus, it’s a full meal in a bowl.

You just need five ingredients (plus a little oil) and 15 minutes to make this dish from start to finish. You’ve got protein from the beans and cheese and a nice dose of vegetables from the broccoli. Eat it as-is or pair it with a little crusty bread, and dinner is done in record time.

Angled view of a stoneware bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans next to a spoon and all on a white background

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

Easy Upgrades

I love the simplicity of this dish, but it’s easy to amp up the flavors a bit without adding time spent. I’ll often add a teaspoon or two of white miso to give the beans more umami flavor—in fact, I tend to add miso to all of my beans. Just be sure to taste before adding any salt since miso is salty. My husband tends to add hot sauce, which is a solid move.

For cheesier beans, use more cheese (duh) or swap for extra sharp cheddar. I also like to add a teaspoon or two of nutritional yeast, which adds a delicious nacho-esque flavor.

Overhead view of a stoneware bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans with two pieces of bread next to a spoon and all on a white background

Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

Broccoli Cheddar Creamy Beans

Prep Time 7 mins
Cook Time 8 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Servings 2 to 3 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

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

  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth

  • 1 (10 to 12-ounce) bag frozen chopped broccoli or broccoli cuts

  • 4 ounces (1 packed cup) grated sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Method

  1. Cook the garlic:

    Place a medium pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds.

  2. Add the beans, broth, and broccoli:

    Add the beans and broth and bring to a simmer. Mash about 1/4 of the beans using a masher or wooden spoon. Add the broccoli, stir, and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring a few times, until the beans and broccoli are tender, 3 to 6 minutes (chopped broccoli will take less time, and broccoli cuts will take longer).

  3. Stir in the cheese:

    Remove the lid and turn the heat to low. Add half of the cheese, stirring until it melts. Add the remaining cheese and stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  4. Serve:

    Serve topped with a sprinkle of extra cheese.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
473 Calories
18g Fat
52g Carbs
28g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 473
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 24%
Saturated Fat 8g 41%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 669mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 14g 50%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 62mg 312%
Calcium 468mg 36%
Iron 7mg 40%
Potassium 1288mg 27%
*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.