Description
A comforting stew rich with smoked sausage, creamy white beans, and root vegetables in a savory tomato broth, perfect for busy weekdays.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound smoked sausage (such as kielbasa), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced ((about 1.5 cups))
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 stalks celery, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ((15 ounces each))
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes, undrained ((14.5 ounces))
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 leaf dried bay
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned. Transfer sausage to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- (Optional) Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to residual skillet fat; sauté for 3 minutes, add garlic for 45 seconds, then transfer vegetables to the slow cooker. Otherwise, add raw vegetables and garlic directly to the slow cooker with the sausage.
- Add drained cannellini beans, undrained petite diced tomatoes, low-sodium chicken broth, dried Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours (or on High for 3 to 4 hours) until carrots are tender.
- Discard bay leaf. Use the back of a spoon to mash about 1/2 cup of beans against the crockpot side to thicken broth. Stir in baby spinach, cover, and let sit on Low or Keep Warm for 5 to 7 minutes until wilted.
- Stir in lemon juice, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as desired, and ladle warm into bowls.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 360 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Cool stew completely before storing in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of water or chicken broth to loosen the naturally thickened broth. Never use raw, uncooked dry cannellini beans directly in a slow cooker without pre-boiling.