The "Too Good" One-Pan Sausage Dinner I Always Make

There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t rely on a link of sausage or a can of beans for dinner. Both ingredients last a long time in the fridge or pantry and require very little from me — an important factor at the end of a long day. Here I’m sharing a recipe that combines both into a skillet dinner that’s become something of a fall classic in my house.

In this recipe, two cans of white beans (cooking liquid and all) are partially mashed and seasoned with minced garlic and dried herbs from the pantry, then mixed with slices of deeply browned and smoky kielbasa sausage. A bit of broth or water, some chopped hearty kale, and Parmesan cheese finish things off in this one-pan meal. It’s such a cozy dinner that you’ll wonder why you never thought to prepare sausage and beans like this before.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s hearty, but not heavy. Creamy white beans, smoky sausage, and hearty kale turn into a cozy skillet dinner that satisfies without weighing you down.

• Ready in about 30 minutes. You can easily prep this dinner from start to finish in about 30 minutes. Plus, because it cooks in a single skillet, after-dinner dishes are totally manageable.

Key Ingredients in White Bean and Sausage Skillet

• Kielbasa sausage: This sausage has a nice smoky flavor built right in. I prefer pork kielbasa, but beef and turkey kielbasa will work here too.

• White beans: White beans like cannellini and Great Northern have a wonderfully buttery texture. Do not drain or rinse the beans, though: Keeping the creamy canning liquid and mashing some of the beans give this skillet dinner a luxe texture without a drop of cream.

• Kale: Remove and discard the tough stems before chopping the kale. You might see lacinato kale labeled as Tuscan or dinosaur kale. (Here’s the low-down on kale varieties.)

• Parmesan cheese: Grate your own from a wedge or use pre-grated Parmesan from the refrigerated deli case. Don’t use shelf-stable Parmesan cheese, which won’t give you the same nutty flavor.

• Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness to this cozy dish.

More Kale Recipes We Love

• Creamy White Bean and Kale Soup

• Kale Slaw with Almonds and Dried Cherries

• 5-Ingredient Sausage, Kale, and Sweet Potato Soup

• Kale and Salmon Coconut Curry

• Creamy One-Pot Butternut Squash Pasta with White Beans and Kale

White Bean and Sausage Skillet Recipe

This skillet dinner combines creamy white beans, smoky sausage, and hearty kale into an irresistibly cozy dinner.

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 15 minutes to 20 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 12 to 16 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 (about 15-ounce) cans white beans, such as cannellini or Great Northern (do not drain), divided

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water

• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 small bunch flat-leaf or lacinato kale, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped (about 6 cups)

• 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup), plus more for serving

• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 12 to 16 ounces sliced smoked sausage in an even layer and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl or plate.

2. Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1 (about 15-ounce) can white beans (do not drain) and use a potato masher or fork to mash about half of the beans. Stir in the remaining 1 can white beans (do not drain), 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened and reduced slightly, 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Stir in 1/2 bunch coarsely chopped kale leaves and 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese until the kale is wilted and the cheese is melted, about 1 minute.

4. Return the sausage and any accumulated juices to the pan. Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and serve with more Parmesan cheese if desired.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Further Reading

Why People Are Ditching Their Seltzer After a Disturbing Study

Le Creuset Launched a Pan That’s Perfect for Everything from Stews to Stir-Fry — and It’s Already on Sale

Ball Just Dropped the Most Beautiful Mason Jars for Its 140th Anniversary ("So Iconic!")