Description
A hearty and flavorful Sausage White Bean and Kale Stew featuring smoky sausage, tender vegetables, and nutritious kale simmered in a tomato-based broth, perfect for a warming meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 14 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage, sliced
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 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
Canned Goods & Liquids
- 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)
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus additional as needed)
- 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 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside on a plate, keeping it warm.
- Sauté the Vegetables: If needed, add a bit more olive oil to the pot. Add diced onion, chopped carrots, quartered mushrooms, chopped celery, and minced garlic. Cook while stirring for several minutes until the vegetables soften slightly.
- Wilt the Kale: Add the coarsely chopped kale to the pot and cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes just until the kale begins to wilt.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and low-sodium chicken broth, then add the rinsed and drained white beans. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, dried marjoram, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir everything together well.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the browned sausage to the pot and stir to combine all ingredients evenly. Increase the heat to bring the stew to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish generously with shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Use fully cooked smoked sausage for best flavor and quicker cooking.
- Rinsing canned beans helps reduce sodium and removes excess starch.
- Adjust the amount of kale according to preference for texture.
- Simmering the stew longer can deepen the flavors even more.
- Parmesan adds a salty, savory finish—omit or substitute for a dairy-free option if needed.
- This stew reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
