Italian Sausage Beans and Greens | Food Wishes

Italian sausage

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: pork sausage

Turkey sausage reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

cannellini beans

🥗Healthier: navy beans

💰Cheaper: black beans

Navy beans are similar in texture and flavor.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

Drizzle a touch of olive oil in a pan set over medium-high heat.

Transfer 2 mild Italian sausages into the pan and poke them with a knife to allow fat to leak out.

Cook the sausages for about 5-6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through, then remove to a plate to cool.

Transfer a diced onion into the pan and add a pinch of salt; cook over medium-high heat until translucent and golden brown.

Season the onions with freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of red chili flakes, dried oregano, and 3-4 cloves of minced garlic; stir and add more olive oil if needed.

Cook the mixture for 30 seconds to a minute, then add 4 cups of chicken broth and raise the heat to high to bring to a boil.

Once boiling, add 2 cans of drained great northern beans and reduce heat to medium-high; simmer for about 15 minutes.

Prep the escarole by trimming the bottom and slicing into half-inch ribbons, then wash thoroughly with cold water and drain.

Slice the cooled sausages into quarter-inch slices and add them to the broth and bean mixture after 15 minutes of simmering.

Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally; optionally smash some beans for a creamier texture.

Raise heat back to high to bring to a simmer, then add the escarole, using tongs to settle it down into the mixture.

Cook the escarole for 1-7 minutes, tasting until the desired tenderness is reached; check for salt and adjust if necessary.

Once ready, turn off the heat and serve, garnishing with freshly chopped Italian parsley, grated lemon zest, chili flakes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Serve in a bowl with fresh lemon and toasted bread, finishing with freshly grated parmesan.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens