Imagine a hearty, soul-warming dish that brings the rustic charm of French countryside cooking right to your dinner table in under an hour. This Easy Cassoulet with Sausage and White Beans is not just a meal—it's a culinary adventure that combines simple ingredients with incredible flavor, promising to turn an ordinary weeknight into an extraordinary dining experience. Whether you're a busy home cook or a weekend food enthusiast, this recipe will become your new go-to comfort food that's both impressive and incredibly easy to prepare.
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 can (15 ounces) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure a rack is positioned in the middle of the oven.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, break up the sweet Italian sausage and cook over medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon to crumble the sausage while it browns, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until no pink remains.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and slightly softened.
- Mince the garlic and add it to the skillet. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice, stirring to combine with the sausage and onions.
- Add the drained and rinsed white beans to the skillet, gently stirring to incorporate.
- Sprinkle in the dried thyme and paprika, stirring to distribute the herbs and spices evenly throughout the mixture.
- If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Ensure the ingredients are spread evenly.
- Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is slightly crispy and the edges are bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let the cassoulet rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the dish to set slightly.
- Serve hot, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Pair with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Tips
- Use a high-quality, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven to minimize dish transfer and preserve all the delicious browned bits.
- Don't rush the sausage browning process—those caramelized edges add deep, rich flavor to the entire dish.
- For extra texture, consider topping your cassoulet with some breadcrumbs before the final baking for a crispy golden crust.
- While the recipe is delicious as-is, you can customize it by using different sausage varieties like spicy Italian or chicken sausage.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make a larger batch for meal prep.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can elevate the final presentation and add a bright, fresh note to this hearty dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 60mg
