Herbed Smoked Sausage and Bean Cassoulet
Indulge in this hearty Herbed Smoked Sausage and Bean Cassoulet, inspired by the beloved classic from Bon Appétit. This warm, comforting dish combines rich smoked sausage with tender beans and fragrant herbs, simmered to perfection. The addition of tart apple balances the savory flavors while the crunchy country bread topping adds delightful texture. Each bite becomes more flavorful as it rests, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. Gather around the table and enjoy this satisfying one-pot meal with family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Smoked sausage
3 lbs (sliced 1/2 inch thick (choose a variety such as kielbasa and andouille))
Leeks
4 large (thinly sliced (use only the white and pale green parts))
Garlic
6 cloves (minced)
Tart apple
1 medium (peeled and chopped)
Fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Dried rubbed sage
1 1/2 teaspoons (dry)
Brandy
1/2 cup (for deglazing)
Canned diced tomatoes with garlic
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans (undrained)
Great northern beans
3 (15 ounce) cans (drained with liquid reserved)
Frozen baby lima beans
1 (10 ounce) package (thawed)
Canned chicken broth
1 cup (or more as needed)
Tomato paste
3 tablespoons (for flavoring)
Ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon (spice)
Salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Olive oil
1/4 cup (for sautéing bread)
Country bread
4 cups (diced)
Fresh tomatoes
1 lb (seeded and chopped)
Fresh parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large ovenproof Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
3
Add the sliced smoked sausage and sauté for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides.
4
Transfer the browned sausage to a paper towel-lined platter to drain excess oil.
5
In the same Dutch oven, add the leeks and minced garlic. Sauté for 8 minutes, or until leeks begin to soften.
6
Stir in the chopped apple, fresh rosemary, and dried sage, combining well with the vegetables.
7
Add the brandy to the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until mostly evaporated.
8
Pour in the undrained canned tomatoes, adding the drained great northern beans along with 1/2 cup of their reserved liquid, thawed lima beans, 1 cup of chicken broth, tomato paste, and ground cloves. Stir until well combined.
9
Return the sautéed sausages to the Dutch oven and season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
10
Bring the contents to a boil, then cover the pot and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
11
Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced country bread and sauté for approximately 25 minutes or until it turns golden brown, stirring frequently.
12
In a separate bowl, combine the chopped fresh tomatoes and parsley. Add in the sautéed bread cubes, mixing until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
13
Remove the Dutch oven from the oven, and uncover it. Spoon the bread mixture evenly over the cassoulet.
14
Return the pot to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the bread topping is golden and crisp.
15
Let it cool slightly before serving, and enjoy this hearty dish with family and friends!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbed Smoked Sausage and Bean Cassoulet?
It is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal inspired by a Bon Appétit classic, combining smoked sausage, beans, herbs, and a crunchy country bread topping.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What type of sausage is best for this cassoulet?
A variety of smoked sausages such as kielbasa and andouille are recommended for the best flavor profile.
How long should I sauté the smoked sausage?
The sliced sausage should be sautéed for about 25 minutes until it is browned on all sides.
How do I prepare the leeks for this recipe?
Use only the white and pale green parts of the leeks and slice them thinly.
What is the purpose of adding a tart apple?
The tart apple is used to balance the rich, savory flavors of the sausage and beans.
Why is brandy used in the recipe?
Brandy is used to deglaze the pan, helping to scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven.
Should the canned tomatoes be drained?
No, use two 14.5 ounce cans of diced tomatoes with garlic and keep them undrained.
What kind of beans are required for this cassoulet?
The recipe calls for three 15 ounce cans of great northern beans and one 10 ounce package of frozen baby lima beans.
Should I save the liquid from the great northern beans?
Yes, you should reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid from the drained great northern beans to add back into the mixture.
How much chicken broth is needed?
Start with 1 cup of chicken broth, adding more if necessary to reach the desired consistency.
What herbs are used to season the dish?
The dish is seasoned with fresh rosemary, dried rubbed sage, and ground cloves.
How long does the cassoulet bake in the oven?
The cassoulet bakes covered for 30 minutes, and then for an additional 15 minutes uncovered once the bread topping is added.
How do I make the bread topping?
Sauté 4 cups of diced country bread in 1/4 cup of olive oil for 25 minutes until golden brown, then mix with fresh tomatoes and parsley.
What kind of bread should I use for the topping?
A rustic country bread is recommended for the best texture and crunch.
Can I use fresh tomatoes in the topping?
Yes, the topping includes 1 lb of fresh tomatoes that have been seeded and chopped.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, because the flavors become more developed as the dish rests, it makes an excellent choice for meal prep.
How much garlic is included?
The recipe calls for 6 cloves of minced garlic.
Do I need to peel the apple?
Yes, the tart apple should be peeled and chopped before being added to the leeks.
What is the role of tomato paste in this dish?
Three tablespoons of tomato paste are used to add depth and concentrated flavor to the sauce.
Should the lima beans be fresh or frozen?
The recipe specifies using a 10 ounce package of frozen baby lima beans that have been thawed.
How do I know when the bread topping is finished?
The topping is done when it appears golden and crisp after the final 15 minutes of baking.
Does this recipe contain cloves?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves for a hint of warm spice.
How much fresh parsley is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley, mixed into the bread topping.
What type of pot should I use for the cassoulet?
A large ovenproof Dutch oven is ideal as the dish starts on the stove and moves to the oven.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 19 specific ingredients listed for this Herbed Smoked Sausage and Bean Cassoulet.
Can I use any variety of apple?
While any apple could work, a tart variety is recommended to best complement the savory sausage.
What is the total amount of olive oil used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons for the initial sautéing and 1/4 cup for browning the bread cubes.
Do I need to boil the mixture before baking?
Yes, bring the contents of the Dutch oven to a boil on the stove before covering and transferring to the oven.
Should I serve it immediately?
It is recommended to let the dish cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors and temperature to settle.