Baked Butter Bean & Bacon Cassoulet with Thyme Crust
Indulge in a delightful dish that artfully blends vibrant flavors and textures: butter beans baked to perfection, mingled with crispy smoked bacon, sweet sautéed onions, and fragrant thyme. All these components come together in a luscious sauce enriched with crème fraîche and red wine, creating a warming and satisfying meal. The dish boasts a golden, crunchy topping of breadcrumbs and parmesan, adding a satisfying contrast to the creamy base. The irresistible aroma wafting through your kitchen will have everyone eager to dig in. Perfect as a hearty main dish, or as a complementary side, it showcases the best of European cuisine with its French, Italian, and British influences. Pair it with a fresh salad and crusty bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.
6
Servings
242
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
smoked bacon
200 g (rashers cut into pieces or lardons)
onions
2 (peeled and sliced thickly)
fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
butter beans
2 (400 g) cans (drained)
crème fraîche
4 tablespoons (none)
tomato puree
2 tablespoons (none)
red wine
100 ml (none)
sugar
1 teaspoon (optional) (none)
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (none)
olive oil
a little (for greasing)
fresh breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons (none)
freshly grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons (none)
dried garlic granules
1 teaspoon (or 1-2 garlic cloves, minced finely)
tomatoes
2 (sliced thinly)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease an ovenproof gratin dish with olive oil.
2
In a small bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and garlic granules. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then set aside.
3
In a large frying pan, cook the smoked bacon pieces over medium heat until they are crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
4
Add the sliced onions to the pan and sauté gently in the bacon fat for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are soft and translucent but not browned. Stir in the fresh thyme leaves and mix well.
5
Return the cooked bacon to the pan, then gently fold in the drained butter beans, taking care not to mash them.
6
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the crème fraîche, tomato puree, red wine, and sugar (if using). Season the mixture with black pepper and a pinch of salt to balance flavors.
7
Gently combine the bacon and butter bean mixture with the crème fraîche and wine sauce until everything is well-coated.
8
Transfer the entire mixture into the greased gratin dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the breadcrumb and parmesan topping generously over the top, then arrange the sliced tomatoes artistically over the mixture.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the cassoulet is bubbling hot and the topping is golden brown.
10
Serve immediately with a refreshing salad and crusty bread, or alongside your favorite sausages, roast meats, or stews.
Nutrition Information
13 g
Fat
23 g
Carbs
9 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish featured in this recipe?
The main dish is Baked Butter Bean & Bacon Cassoulet with Thyme Crust.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the primary beans used in this cassoulet?
The recipe uses two 400g cans of drained butter beans.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 200°C (400°F).
How much smoked bacon is required?
You will need 200g of smoked bacon, cut into pieces or lardons.
What ingredients make up the thyme crust topping?
The topping consists of 4 tablespoons of fresh breadcrumbs, 4 tablespoons of grated parmesan, and 1 teaspoon of garlic granules.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
What are the nutritional calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 242 calories.
How much fat is in one serving of this cassoulet?
There are 13 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving has 23 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this dish provide per serving?
The dish provides 9 grams of protein per serving.
What liquid ingredients are used for the sauce?
The sauce is made from 4 tablespoons of crème fraîche, 2 tablespoons of tomato puree, and 100 ml of red wine.
Is sugar a required ingredient in the sauce?
No, 1 teaspoon of sugar is optional and used to balance flavors.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
The sliced onions should be sautéed for about 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
What is the total baking time?
The cassoulet should be baked for approximately 30 minutes.
How should the tomatoes be prepared for the topping?
Two tomatoes should be sliced thinly and arranged artistically over the mixture before baking.
What type of dish should I use for baking?
An ovenproof gratin dish lightly greased with olive oil is recommended.
What cuisines influence this recipe?
The dish reflects French, Italian, and British culinary influences.
Can I use fresh garlic instead of granules?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic granules with 1-2 finely minced garlic cloves.
What is the suggested way to serve this dish?
Serve it immediately with a refreshing salad and crusty bread, or alongside roast meats and sausages.
Do I cook the bacon separately from the onions?
Yes, cook the bacon until crispy, remove it, and then sauté the onions in the rendered bacon fat.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe requires 2 onions, peeled and sliced thickly.
How do I know when the cassoulet is done?
It is ready when it is bubbling hot and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
Should the butter beans be mashed?
No, you should gently fold the beans in to avoid mashing them.
How much red wine is used?
The recipe calls for 100 ml of red wine.
What kind of cheese is used for the crust?
Freshly grated parmesan cheese is used for the crust.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 15 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Is olive oil used in the mixture?
Olive oil is used primarily for greasing the baking dish.
How do you prepare the sauce?
Whisk together the crème fraîche, tomato puree, red wine, and sugar in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
What tags are associated with this meal?
Tags include cassoulet, butter beans, bacon, comfort food, one dish meal, and baked.