This comforting one pot meal combines tender white beans with savory sausage in a rich, flavorful broth that’s perfect for chilly eveings. Ready in under an hour, this protein packed dish delivers restaurant quality taste with minimal cleanup required.
Ingredients :
For the Base:
one pound of spicy or sweet italian sausage with the casings taken off
two 15 ounce cans of washed and drained cannellini beans
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
For the Liquid :
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup dry white wine (optional)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Seasonings :
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
2 bay leaves
To taste, add salt and freshly ground black pepper
For Finishing :
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving
Crusty bread for serving
Optional Additions :
2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
Method :
Step 1: Get that Sausage nice and brown
fire up you biggest pot ( Dutch oven’s perfect if you’ve got one ) over medium high heat .toss in the sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cookslet it Cook for about 6-8 minutes until it’s golden brown and Cooked all the way through.One it’s done , scoop it onto a plate but here’s the key part: leave all that delicious rendered fat in the pot. that’s flavor gold right there.
Step 2: time for the Veggies
Reduce the heat to medium and then add the chopped celery, carrots ,and onion to the same pot with all the delicious sausage. Let them Cook for about 5-6 minutes until they start getting soft and smell amazing . Then throw in the garlic and bell pepper for another 2 minutes your kitchen’s gonna smell like an italian grandmother’s been cooking all day.
Step 3: Build up that Flavor
Now stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for just a minute it’ll get all fragrant and slightly caramelized. Then add your oregano, thyme, parprika, and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds until everything smells incredible. if you’re using wine (and why wouldn’t you?), pour it in now and scrape up all those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot that’s pure flavor don’t want to waste.
Step 4: Everything Goes Back Together
Time to reunite that beautuful browned sausage with the veggie mixture. Put it back in the pot with the drained beans , diced tomatoes (keep all that juice!), chicken broth, and bay leaves. and let it simmer covered for 25-30 minutes.
Step 5: That Final Taste Test
Fish out those bay leaves ( seriously, don’t Forget this step-nobody wants to ite into one of those ).give it a taste and add salt and pepper however you like it .if you’re adding spinach or kale, now’s the time- just stir it in for the last 3 minutes until it dow nicely.
Step 6: The Finishing Touch
Take it off the heat and stir in that olive oil, fresh parsley, and lemon juice – this is what makes everything taste bright and fresh. Ladle it into bowls right away, top with plenty of grated Parmesan , and serve it up with some crusty bread for dipping. Trust me , you’re gonna want that braed to soak up every last drop of this amazing broth.