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A quick and easy dinner in a skillet! This meal of zesty sausage and white beans with rice can be made in under 30 minutes!
Happy New Year!! It’s 2018! It feels odd to write that – in the way that it always does at the beginning of the year when you need to re-train your brain to write down something different than what it’s used to.
What did you do for New Year’s Eve? We had a very low-key evening, about as low-key as you can get. We went for dinner at Etienne’s parents’ house, stuffed ourselves, then put the kids to bed and watched some Netflix, followed by the ball-drop in NYC. I read an article this weekend that said that 69% of people were staying at home for New Year’s Eve – either at their house or a friend’s. It made me feel a little better about having zero plans.
What is it about feeling like you need to celebrate the last day of the year in a special way? I guess it’s the same reason people feel obligated to make resolutions for the new year!
After over-indulging for the last month and a half, Etienne and I determined that maybe people hit the gym and give up sweets in January not because they’ve made a “resolution”, but because their bodies are screaming for a break from all of the indulgence and festivities they’ve been experiencing since November!
While I could never completely break up with my good pals sugar and carbs, I do have a few healthier, wholesome recipes planned for you in the near future – starting with this zesty sausage and white bean skillet!
Is this truly a 30-minute dinner?
This meal ACTUALLY only takes 25-30 minutes to cook, so it’s perfect for those busy weeknights!
It’s a simple dish to prep either the night before, or a few hours before. Dice up the peppers and onions, then gathering up all of the spices.
You can use any kind of sausage you like, but I usually buy a link of garlic flavoured sausage. I’ve also used dried navy beans instead of canned beans, but it does take a bit more prep work in that you need to soak the beans overnight and pre-cook them before adding them to this skillet. The dish has only a mild hint of spice, so please, feel free to kick things up a bit with a little extra chili powder or even some cayenne (or add some diced jalapenos)!!
Does this sausage and white bean skillet make for good leftovers?
I’ve made this hearty dish a few times in the past month, since it’s continuously a hit with the whole family. It definitely makes great leftovers – a perfect lunch for the next day! You can also make a double batch of this and freeze half for another day.
Whether you’re still on holiday and looking to get some more nutrition in your diet, or you’re back to work this week, I’ve got at least one dinner covered for you.
Here’s to a great 2018!! 🙂
You know I like my 30-minute meals! A few other ideas:
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Zesty Sausage and White Beans
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
A quick and easy dinner in a skillet! This meal of zesty sausage and white beans with rice can be made in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb package sausage (smoked, garlic), sliced into 1/2″ rounds
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup wholegrain brown rice
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 14oz can diced tomato
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 14oz can white beans
Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the sliced sausage, and fry for another 5 minutes, or until the sausage begins to brown. Add the green pepper and rice, and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add the can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth and white beans and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Serve immediately.
Leftovers keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Happy New Year!! This skillet is everything I’m craving for dinner and is super comforting for all this cold weather!! Give me all the spicy 😉 . Take care.
Happy New Year to you, Stacey!! It’s totally comforting – and definitely what I’ve been craving too 🙂 Thank you!!
New Years was Netflix then in bed by 9:30! This looks like a perfect healthy filling meal!
Sounds like a pretty perfect New Years to me 😉 Thanks Patrick!
Ooooh yes please. This looks SO good- love the bold flavors! Definitely adding to the dinner to do list.
Hooray! I hope you try it out. Thanks Karly!
Happy new year Kathy, hope you had a fabulous holiday! This skillet is the perfect recipe after all that cookies, drinks, …. Hearty, healthy and easy is all what my family needs right now. Have a great one dear:)
Thank you Maria!! YES – that’s exactly what I was going for. I need a break from all that sugar! Hope you had a wonderful holiday too XO
We had a low key NYE as well and it was so awesome! We always spend the evening relaxing, which is just so perfect after a busy Christmas week. I know I can’t swear off sweets either, but I am trying to incorporate more greens into my meals this month. And I can totally see me making this, and even throwing in some kale or spinach! Happy 2018 Katherine! Looking forward to seeing all the great things you have in store for us this year!
That’s wonderful!! I think it’s the best way to spend NYE – in my humble opinion 😉 I’m with you – and I love the idea of adding kale!! I will have to do that next time. Cheers, Leanne!
We had a very low-key NYE too and that’s just the way I wanted it! I know my body was screaming for healthier un-holiday food and more exercise so that’s exactly where this week is going. haha I love this meal — sausage and white beans are one of my favorite combos! Happy New Year Katherine!!
Yes! It is the best way to spend NYE. I think a lot of us are in the same boat, Marcie! We all need some greens and movement in our lives after the indulgent holidays. Thank you and Happy New Year to you!
Ours was pretty low key, too! Enjoyed a little Asti Spumante and watched When Harry Met Sally but fell asleep before the end! (Party animals! Nottt!) I love this dish! I can see it becoming very popular at my house! Happy New Year, my friend!
That sounds like the most perfect NYE haha! I am notorious for falling asleep during movies (obviously, I’m also a party animal) 😉 Thank you Annie!! Happy New Year!
sometimes lowkey is the best (: i had a few friends over, and we pigged out on junk food and attempted a 750 piece puzzle at 10pm (spoiler alert: we didn’t finish by our goal time of midnight).
Heather, that sounds like a wonderful night. I would be extremely impressed if you completed that puzzle by midnight. Etienne and I actually spent a NYE puzzle-building a few years ago – we also didn’t finish by midnight!!
Happy New Year!! We always stay in for New Years Eve. My husband and I rented a couple movies and watched them straight through (truth be told, he took a couple of catnaps along the way). We didn’t even stop to see the ball-drop in NYC this year. Despite my good intentions, eating mainly healthy food is getting off to a slow start. This dish looks delicious! It is perfect for getting back on track to a more rounded diet.
It sounds like most people opted to stay in this New Years – we’re all in good company!! It’s tough to get back on track, especially if you’re still working through all of the leftover candy and sweets in your house from the holidays. I’m trying to clear it out by eating through it!! 😉 Thanks Thao!!
I went to bed very early on New Years. But my plan to sleep was foiled because of alllllll the fireworks people were setting off, which meant every dog in the neighborhood was going crazy. . .except Cookie! It was a proud dog mom moment :). I think you’re right about working out being more a reaction to indulging in Nov and Dec. I know I’m looking forward to Pilates today more than ever! This skillet sound like total dinner perfection. Have a great weekend, Katherine!
Oh no way!! We’re so far away from any fireworks we wouldn’t have heard it – plus they might have cancelled any plans for fireworks due to the sub-arctic temperatures 😉 You should be very proud of Cookie – that would have been a lot of restraint exercised!! I hope you enjoyed your Pilates – that sounds about perfect right now!!