Hearty Italian Bean and Sausage Stew. This dish is a complete meal with a rich, savoury broth, tender beans, and Italian sausage, served with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad. It’s cozy, flavourful, and perfect for a comforting dinner.
Hearty Italian Bean and Sausage Stew
Ingredients:
For the stew:
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, your choice), casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 can (14 oz/400g) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cans (14 oz/400g each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup kale or spinach, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the sides:
- Garlic bread (store-bought or homemade)
- Simple green salad (mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the sausage:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the Italian sausage (removed from casings) and cook, breaking it into chunks with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Sauté the vegetables:
- In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Add tomatoes and seasoning:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, F N Good Food Garlic Herb Umami Bomb seasoning, and sugar (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes to let the flavours meld.
4. Simmer the stew:
- Add the cooked sausage back to the pot, along with the chicken broth and cannellini beans. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add greens:
- Stir in the chopped kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
6. Serve:
- Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot with garlic bread on the side.
- Pair with a simple green salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Why This Works:
- the F N Good Food Garlic Herb Umami Bomb seasoning adds depth and complexity to the stew, with the smoked paprika, herbs, and lemon zest creating a rich, aromatic base.
- The stew is hearty and filling, with protein from the sausage and fibre from the beans and vegetables.
- The sides (garlic bread and salad) round out the meal perfectly, making it a complete dinner.
Enjoy this comforting Italian-inspired stew!
