One-Pot Sausage White Bean Hearty (Printable)

Savory sausage, creamy beans, and tender veggies combine in a rich, cozy stew perfect for easy meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz smoked sausage (e.g., kielbasa or andouille), sliced into rounds

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, drained
08 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
09 - 2 cans (14 oz each) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
10 - 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped

→ Liquids

11 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
02 - Add onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the same pot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add drained diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, dried thyme, bay leaf, and chili flakes if using. Stir to combine thoroughly.
05 - Return browned sausage to the pot, then add white beans and chicken broth. Bring mixture to a simmer.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Remove lid, stir in spinach or kale, and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes until greens are wilted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve hot, optionally accompanied by crusty bread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is quick and painless even on weeknights.
  • The broth gets rich and silky from the beans breaking down just a little as they simmer.
  • It tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to settle and deepen.
  • You can swap the vegetables or sausage based on what you already have without losing the heart of the dish.
02 -
  • Brown the sausage first and remove it so it stays firm and doesn't turn rubbery during the long simmer.
  • Drain the canned tomatoes or the stew will be too thin and the flavors won't concentrate properly.
  • Stir the stew occasionally while it simmers to keep the beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Add the greens at the very end so they stay bright and tender instead of turning dull and mushy.
03 -
  • Let the sausage get really golden before removing it, those browned bits add serious depth to the stew.
  • Taste the stew before serving and adjust the salt, sometimes the sausage and broth carry enough on their own.
  • If you want a thicker stew, mash a few of the beans against the side of the pot and stir them back in.
  • Use fresh thyme instead of dried if you have it, just double the amount and add it near the end.
Go Back