Italian Green Beans
These Italian green beans start with a bag of frozen green beans and end up buttery, herby, and topped with Parmesan. They’re a quick way to get a vegetable on the table without much thought. They’re also good for picky eaters, since a little cheese and butter go a long way.
Make them on a busy weeknight next to chicken or pork chops, or add them to a holiday table when the oven is already full. Everything happens in one skillet in about 15 minutes. The beans come out tender instead of squeaky, and the salty Parmesan makes them taste like more effort than they are.
For more easy side dishes, try my Coconut Lime Rice, Creamy Keto Brussel Sprouts, and Cold Asparagus and Pea Salad with Lemon Dressing. They’re all simple sides that go with just about any main dish.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Italian Green Beans:
Ingredient Notes
Frozen Green Beans: Use plain whole or cut green beans without a sauce packet, and add them straight from the freezer. Check thin French-cut beans a few minutes early.
Salted Butter: Unsalted butter works too; simply add another pinch of salt at the end. For a lighter version, use 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil.
Italian Seasoning: Rub the dried herbs between your fingers as you add them. Equal parts dried oregano, basil, and thyme work as a substitute.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the warm beans more evenly than bagged shreds. A microplane makes fine, fluffy cheese that distributes well.
Salt and Pepper: Season lightly at first because the butter and Parmesan are already salty, then taste and adjust.
Chili Flakes: These are optional; a small pinch adds gentle warmth without making the beans particularly spicy.
Recipe Variations
Add Garlic or More Heat: Add garlic powder with the herbs, sauté 1–2 minced cloves in the butter, or increase the chili flakes and finish with hot sauce.
Brighten It With Lemon: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a little finely grated zest just before serving.
Add Tomatoes or Crunch: Cook halved cherry tomatoes briefly with the butter, or finish with toasted panko or sliced almonds.
How To Make Italian Green Beans: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 2: Cover the frozen green beans with a splash of water and steam over medium heat until tender.
Step 4: Drain the skillet, then add the butter and Italian seasoning.
Step 7: Remove from the heat and finish with Parmesan and optional chili flakes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Use your largest skillet so the beans sit in a fairly even layer, and keep the lid on while they steam so they soften at the same rate.
Start checking around 6 minutes. Drain every bit of water once the beans are tender with a little bite so the butter can cling instead of becoming diluted.
Take the skillet off the heat before adding Parmesan so the cheese softens without clumping or sticking to the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Trim the ends, then steam the beans with a little extra water. Fresh beans often need a few more minutes, so begin checking them after 8–10 minutes.
Yes. Drain them well and skip the steaming step. Warm them gently in the butter and seasonings, stirring carefully because canned beans are softer.
Yes. Cook the beans up to one day ahead and refrigerate them. Rewarm in a skillet with a small pat of butter, then add the Parmesan just before serving.
I hope you love this Italian Green Beans. Please consider leaving a star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below. Thank you so much!
More Recipes To Try
Italian Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds frozen green beans
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 pinch chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Add the frozen green beans and water to a large skillet.
- Cover and cook over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the beans are tender.
- Remove the lid and drain any water remaining in the skillet.
- Return the skillet to medium heat and add the butter and Italian seasoning.
- Stir for 1–2 minutes, until the butter melts and coats the beans evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Transfer the beans to a serving dish and top with Parmesan and chili flakes, if using. Serve warm.
Notes
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data