I consider myself blessed to have celebrated Thanksgiving in my home with my family while enjoying good food cooked in my kitchen and watching football on television. For that, and all of the other gifts in my life, I am thankful.
Not everybody was as fortunate this year. Many victims of Superstorm Sandy are without their homes...their kitchens...their televisions. They are thankful for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. They are strong. They are rebuilding. But they could use our help.
And while it may seem small in the scope of things, nothing compares to something homemade shows up at your door when you are feeling low. A gesture. A dish that warms not only your body, but also your heart and your soul. This comforting casserole is full of warmth from the creamy white beans to the sweet Italian sausage to the scent of the herbs mingling with both in the steam that makes its way through the crispy bread crumb topping. Deliver it to the door of somebody who needs it...maybe take along a green salad, a bottle of white wine, and a pan of brownies for a complete meal.
Italian Sausage and White Bean Bake
by
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: ~50 minutes
Keywords: bake entree beans bread sausage fall winter
Ingredients (serves 8)
- 2 Tbs. olive oil, divided
- 1½ lb. sweet Italian sausage
- 3 leeks (white & light green parts), halved lengthwise & sliced into half moons
- 2 carrots, sliced about same size as leeks
- 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- ½ c. white wine
- 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 (15 oz.) cans cannellini or great northern beans, drained & rinsed
- small handful fresh parsley, chopped
- leaves stripped from a few sprigs fresh thyme
- ~10 fresh sage leaves, chopped
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 c. bread crumbs (fresh or dry, fine or coarse, or a mix)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375° F.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large deep-sided pan over medium-high heat. Push the Italian sausage out of its casings in little bits the size of tiny meatballs (or, if you sausage is bulk, add it to the pan as is and break up with a wooden spoon). Cook, stirring often, until sausage is browned, 8-10 minutes.
Add leeks and carrots to the pan and continue to sauté for another 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute 2 minutes longer. Add the wine and let it cook for 1 more minute. Dump in the tomatoes with their juices and bring to a boil. Tip in the beans, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Transfer mixture to a baking dish that has been coated lightly with cooking spray.
Combine the bread crumbs with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and then sprinkle it evenly over the whole thing. Slide into preheated oven and bake until the bread crumbs are golden and crispy and the mixture is bubbling around the edges, ~30 minutes.
Serve warm or hot. Wrap leftovers well and refrigerate; equally delicious (if not more so) the next day.
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Feeling inspired? Join us Around the Family Table for Sunday Supper and let’s make a difference in the lives of others. Our #SundaySupper this week is all about #HelpingHands to those that need our help.
Breakfast and Brunch
- Orange Rolls from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- 12-Grain Buttermilk Pancake Mix from What Smells So Good
- Cranberry Bread from Home Cooking Memories
- Pork Chop Casserole from In the Kitchen with Audrey and Maurene
- Basic Lasagna from Fast Food 2 Fresh Food
- Italian Sausage and White Bean Bake from girlichef
- Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes from Crispy Bits n Burnt Ends
- Turkey and vegetable pasta bake from Gotta Get Baked
- Baked Salmon with Cucumber Salad from The Urban Mrs.
- Enchilada Pasta Casserole from Dinners Dishes and Desserts
- Spaghetti Pizza Bake from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Gluten Free Spaghetti Squash with Pancetta from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Cabbage Koftas from Soni's Food
- Bowtie Marinara with Goat Cheese from Family Foodie
- New England Clam Chowder from The Meltaways
- Italian Wedding Soup from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Soul Warming Butternut Squash Soup from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese "Croutons" from Damn Delicious
- Corn Basil Handpies from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Manhattan Clam Chowder from Noshing with the Nolands
- Comforting Broccoli Cheese Soup from Juanita's Cocina
- San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake from The Weekend Gourmet
- Peruvian Steak and Potato Stir-fry from Hip Foodie Mom
- Simple Southern Red Potato Salad from Mama Mommy Mom
- Homemade Chicken Soup from Daddy Knows Less
- New Orleans Red Beans and Rice for Those in Need from The Catholic Foodie
- Sweet and Sassy Pineapple Stuffing from In the Kitchen with KP
- Pound Cake Loaf from Magnolia Days
- Fall Apple Pie from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Dairy-free Marble Cake {Marmorkuchen} from Galactopdx
- Mini Dark Chocolate Cakes with Mint Chocolate Chip Icing from The Realistic Nutritionist
- Orange Pound Cake from Basic n Delicious
- Spicy Gingerbread w/ a Mocha Glaze from Daily Dish Recipes
All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.
We’d also love to feature your Helping Hands -type dishes on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board and share them with all of our followers, too. So tell me - what do you like to cook or bake and bring to those in need of some comfort? I'd love to hear what you make, I'm always looking for inspiration. Feel free to leave the link to any in the comments. Also, if you are looking for a way to make a monetary donation and aren't sure where to go, you can click on one of the two buttons directly below and perhaps help either Hope Force International or New Jersey Relief Fund.
