We all get a little stuck in food ruts sometimes; making the same things over and over again seems easiest, especially during the winter months when it’s not as easy to run to the grocery store. So to beat the food rut I enlisted the help of Andrew’s sister-in-law Annie, who is quite a creative (and good) cook. She sent this recipe our way- it is perfect for winter months: hardy, delicious, and easy on the budget. Plus, aside from the sausage, it is made up of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Annie’s Sausage & Beans
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 5 sausages (sweet, hot, or mild Italian- or use your favorite vegetarian version)
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled & sliced into biggish chunks
- 1.5 lbs fresh diced tomatoes (or 2 14-ounce cans diced tomatoes when out of season)
- 3 dried red hot peppers (or 1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 5 fresh bay leaves (or 2-3 dried)
- freshly ground pepper to taste
Heat a large high-sided dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Once hot, add sausages and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Transfer sausages to a plate and set aside. To the pan, add garlic and sauté until soft and golden brown. With a wooden spoon, stir in the tomatoes and red pepper and season with pepper. Lower heat and simmer about 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have broken down to a sauce-like consistency.
Slice sausages into small pieces and add (with any juices from the plate) to the sauce. Add beans and bay leaves. Stir well and simmer another 10 minutes. If you use whole red peppers, make sure to fish them out before serving.
Serves 4; great alongside crusty bread and a fresh spinach salad.* 
*Annie also informed me that a great way to stretch this dish is to pour on top of penne pasta and top with fresh sliced mozzarella, then bake until cheese is bubbly- sounds delicious, don’t you think?
Mmmmmmm, heck yeah! I am on a lentil kick at the moment. The boys love a hearty, meat-laced dinner and so I’m doing lentils and ham hock stew a lot these cold days. But boy, am I ready for fresh produce and warmer days…
That sounds really good, Maggie! We love our lentils too!
Or corn bread???!?!? Mmmmmhh…so hungry…I mean: thanks!
yummy! looks like the perfect meal for a cold day.
yum! i’m definitely going to make this. thanks!
That sounds easy and delicious! Yum!
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing this recipe. I made this today. Only thing I did different was combine hot and sweet sausages and some rice to the dish. Simple, yet hearty and delicious. With all the snow we’ve gotten in PA this was a nice warm dish. Also, I am a new mom (my first born son turns 3 months tomorrow) and this was actually the first “real” meal I’ve gotten to make in months. Thanks again! Yum!
Oh, Margaret, so glad you enjoyed it! Rice is an excellent idea!
And also, congratulations on your little boy. I remember the first three months with my first-born so vividly. Such a life-changing, humbling experience. I remember I could barely put him down he was so colicky, so not a lot of cooking or housework was done, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing! I wish I could hold him now, but he is too big!
So, I know this is more of a cold weather dish, but I had been waiting for my husband to go out of town so I could make this for myself & the kids. And wow, it did not disappoint. I started it after work and let it simmer away while I picked them up. Simple, quick and yummy! So yummy in fact, my 6 year old asked to take leftovers for her lunch at school tomorrow. Thank you, and Annie, for another home run!
Carol, I’m so glad you liked it- definitely a winner, and so easy! I love that your 6-year-old asked for leftovers! I will be sure to let Annie know.