Twenty-Minute Cassoulet
A hearty, flavorful cassoulet featuring smoked sausage, beans, and aromatic herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced celery ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 2 (15.5 oz) cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed ⓘ
- 1 (15.5 oz) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed ⓘ
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced, peeled tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sliced green onion ⓘ
- water to desired consistency ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a skillet and set aside.
- Reserve 1/2 teaspoon of drippings in a large saucepan and add celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
- Cook and stir for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add the cooked sausage, drained beans, tomatoes, brown sugar, and remaining ingredients except green onions.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until thoroughly heated.
- Serve each portion topped with sliced green onions.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, try using kielbasa or andouille sausage in place of the smoked sausage. If you're short on time, pre-chopped vegetables can save you some prep. Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for additional nutrition. Adjust the herbs according to your taste, and if you prefer a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of water added.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty cassoulet with crusty bread for dipping or a fresh green salad to balance the flavors. It pairs beautifully with Grilled Veal Chops or can be a standalone dish. Consider topping each serving with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added richness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it seems too thick. You can also microwave it in a covered dish, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Twenty-Minute Cassoulet contains roughly 457 calories, with 14g protein, 85g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (143% of the Daily Value), iron (106% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (103% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 29g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cassoulet vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the sausage and using plant-based sausage alternatives. You might also want to add more vegetables or even some lentils for added protein and texture.
What kind of beans can I use?
While great northern and kidney beans are traditional, you can substitute with any canned beans you have on hand, such as cannellini or black beans. Just ensure they're drained and rinsed to remove excess sodium.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely! This cassoulet freezes well. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then warm on the stove or microwave.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).