Description
Hearty sausage and bean casserole combines rustic flavors from traditional Italian countryside cooking. Warm comfort mingles with rich protein and tender legumes, offering a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings you’ll savor with delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) sausages
- 2 cans (15 oz/425g each) canned beans (white, cannellini, or kidney)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz/411g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme or fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling base for the aromatic vegetables.
- Gently sauté chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery until they become translucent and tender, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Introduce sausages to the pot, browning them evenly to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that enhances the dish’s depth of flavor.
- Incorporate tomato paste, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme, stirring to coat the ingredients and intensify their savory profile.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth, adding bay leaves to infuse a subtle herbal note. Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer.
- Fold in beans and optional ingredients like crispy bacon, vibrant bell peppers, robust red wine, or earthy mushrooms, creating a complex flavor landscape.
- Reduce heat and let the casserole simmer for approximately 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, balancing the dish’s robust flavors.
- Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the top, adding a bright, fresh garnish that elevates the entire casserole.
Notes
- Enhance vegetable texture by chopping them uniformly, ensuring even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
- Maximize flavor depth by using high-quality smoked paprika and letting the sausages develop a rich caramelized exterior before adding liquid ingredients.
- Customize protein options by substituting sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets or using leaner chicken sausage for lower fat content.
- Control liquid consistency by adjusting chicken broth quantity based on desired thickness, allowing the casserole to reduce naturally for a more concentrated taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg