Description
A hearty and comforting Sausage White Bean and Kale Stew featuring smoky sausage, tender white beans, and nutrient-rich kale simmered in a flavorful tomato and herb broth. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with rustic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Oil
- 14 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus additional as needed)
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced white or yellow onion
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 8 ounces cremini (brown button) mushrooms, quartered
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 4 cups packed coarsely chopped kale
Liquids and Beans
- 28 ounce can Italian-style crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 30 ounces canned small white beans, rinsed and drained (two 15-ounce cans)
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until nicely browned. Remove the sausage to a plate and keep warm.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add additional olive oil to the pot if needed. Add the diced onion, chopped carrots, quartered mushrooms, celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring often, for several minutes until the vegetables have softened slightly.
- Wilt the Kale and Add Liquids: Add the coarsely chopped kale to the pot and stir for 1 to 2 minutes just until the kale begins to wilt. Then add the crushed tomatoes, low-sodium chicken broth, rinsed and drained white beans, dried thyme, dried marjoram, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the Stew: Return the browned sausage to the pot and mix everything together. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve and Garnish: After simmering, taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve the stew hot, garnished generously with shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese for a savory finish.
Notes
- Use fully cooked smoked sausage for quick preparation and enhanced flavor.
- Rinsing canned white beans reduces sodium and starchiness.
- Kale can be substituted with other hearty greens like Swiss chard or collard greens if desired.
- Low-sodium chicken broth helps control salt levels; adjust salt to taste after simmering.
- This stew improves in flavor the next day and reheats well, making it ideal for leftovers.
- For a vegetarian version, omit sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
