Hearty Turkey Kielbasa Cassoulet
Elevate your dinner experience with this Hearty Turkey Kielbasa Cassoulet, a lighter yet satisfying twist on the traditional French dish. Packed with protein-rich beans and seasoned turkey kielbasa, this one-pot wonder is bursting with flavors from fresh herbs and rich tomato sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish simmers to perfection in your crock pot, allowing the ingredients to meld beautifully over time. Serve it warm with crusty French bread to soak up the delicious sauce, and enjoy this unexpected pairing with a refreshing glass of cold milk. It's a delightful update on a classic that will please the whole family!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Low-fat turkey kielbasa
1 lb (sliced 1/4-inch thick)
Black beans
1 (14-16 ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
White beans (great northern)
1 (14-16 ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
Pinto beans (or kidney beans)
1 (14-16 ounce) can (rinsed and drained)
Tomato sauce
2 (8 ounce) cans (or 2 cups homemade sauce)
Carrots
2-3 (sliced 1/4-inch thick)
Medium onion
1 (sliced 1/4-inch thick into rings)
Red wine
1/2 cup (cabernet sauvignon or merlot (or use beef broth))
Light brown sugar
2 tablespoons
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Fresh thyme sprigs
2
Instructions
1
Start by spraying a 3 to 5-quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
Rinse and drain the black beans, white beans, and pinto (or kidney) beans thoroughly.
3
Slice the medium onion into 1/4-inch thick rings and separate them into individual rings.
4
In the prepared crock pot, combine the sliced turkey kielbasa, all the drained beans, tomato sauce, sliced carrots, onion rings, red wine, light brown sugar, minced garlic, and fresh thyme.
5
Stir gently to mix all the ingredients evenly.
6
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 to 10 hours, until the vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.
7
Before serving, remove the thyme stems from the dish and give it a gentle stir. Serve hot with crusty French bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this Hearty Turkey Kielbasa Cassoulet?
The main protein is one pound of low-fat turkey kielbasa, sliced 1/4-inch thick.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What size crock pot is recommended for this dish?
A 3 to 5-quart crock pot is recommended.
How long does the cassoulet need to cook on the high setting?
It should be cooked on high for 4 hours.
How long does the cassoulet need to cook on the low setting?
It should be cooked on low for 8 to 10 hours.
What types of beans are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for black beans, white northern beans, and pinto or kidney beans.
Do the beans need to be rinsed before cooking?
Yes, the black beans, white beans, and pinto beans should be rinsed and drained thoroughly.
What can I use as a substitute for red wine?
If you prefer not to use red wine, you can use beef broth instead.
What specific varieties of red wine are suggested?
Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot are recommended for this recipe.
How should the onion be prepared?
The medium onion should be sliced into 1/4-inch thick rings and separated.
How much tomato sauce is required?
You will need two 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce, or 2 cups of homemade sauce.
Is there any added sugar in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar.
What fresh herb is used for seasoning?
Two fresh thyme sprigs are used to season the dish.
When should the thyme be removed from the pot?
The thyme stems should be removed just before serving.
How thick should the carrots be sliced?
Carrots should be sliced 1/4-inch thick.
What is the first step in preparing the crock pot?
Spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the ingredients from sticking.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
What is a suggested side dish for this cassoulet?
It is recommended to serve this dish hot with crusty French bread.
What is a recommended beverage to pair with this meal?
A refreshing glass of cold milk is suggested as an unexpected pairing.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients listed in this recipe.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is a one-pot wonder designed to be made entirely in a slow cooker.
Can I use kidney beans instead of pinto beans?
Yes, the recipe allows for either pinto beans or kidney beans.
Does this recipe require any pre-browning of the meat?
No, the sliced turkey kielbasa is combined directly with the other ingredients in the crock pot.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include crock pot, cassoulet, kielbasa, one dish meal, comfort food, slow cooker, turkey, beans, hearty, and family meal.
Should the ingredients be stirred during the cooking process?
The instructions recommend stirring gently once at the beginning and once before serving.
Is this recipe considered a lighter version of the traditional dish?
Yes, it uses low-fat turkey kielbasa as a lighter twist on the traditional French cassoulet.
How should the vegetables be cooked?
The vegetables should be cooked until they are tender and the flavors have melded.
How much turkey kielbasa is needed?
You will need 1 pound of low-fat turkey kielbasa.
Is this recipe suitable for a family meal?
Yes, it is described as a delightful update on a classic that will please the whole family.
Can I use homemade tomato sauce instead of canned?
Yes, 2 cups of homemade tomato sauce can be used as a substitute.