Description
Budget-Friendly Dinner That Feeds the Whole Family – A flavorful sausage and bean skillet, easy on the wallet, big on taste. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
- Flavor Boosters:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Optional Extras:
- A splash of balsamic vinegar (for brightness)
- Handful of fresh spinach (wilted in at the end)
Instructions
- Sizzle the Sausage:: First things first, grab your biggest skillet – cast iron is my fave for this budget-friendly dinner. Drizzle a little olive oil in there and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add your Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. You want to get some good color on it, a nice crispy brown, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. This is where all that amazing flavor starts to develop, honestly, the smell alone is enough to make your stomach rumble. Don’t worry if it sticks a little, those bits will release later and add even more deliciousness.
- Aromatics Awaken:: Once the sausage is browned, drain off most of the excess fat, leaving just a tablespoon or two behind. Now, toss in your chopped onion and bell pepper. Give them a good stir, letting them soften up for about 5 minutes. They’ll start to get translucent and smell absolutely incredible. This is where I always make sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s pure flavor, people! Don’t let those gems go to waste. This step is crucial for a truly flavorful budget-friendly dinner.
- Garlic & Spice Magic:: Next up, add your minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir it all together and let it cook for just about 1 minute, until you can really smell those spices blooming. Be careful not to burn the garlic here; it goes from fragrant to bitter super fast! I learned that the hard way once, and the whole dish had a weird, acrid taste. It was an ‘oops’ moment I won’t repeat. This quick toast brings out the best in our spices for this budget-friendly dinner that feeds the whole family.
- Budget-Friendly Dinner: Simmering for Success:: Pour in your can of crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth (or water). Give it a good stir, making sure everything is well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. This simmering time allows all those flavors to meld together beautifully and the sauce to thicken just slightly. You’ll notice the kitchen filling with a rich, savory aroma – that’s how you know it’s working!
- Bean Boost & Final Touch:: After simmering, stir in your rinsed cannellini beans. Let them warm through in the sauce for another 5 minutes, uncovered. The beans will absorb some of that amazing tomato-sausage goodness. Taste the sauce here and adjust seasonings if needed – maybe a little more salt, a pinch of pepper. This is your moment to make it perfect for your family’s taste buds. I usually add a little more paprika here, because, why not?
- Serve It Up:: Finally, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in your fresh chopped parsley. Ladle generous portions into bowls. If you’re feeling fancy (or just love cheese like I do), sprinkle a little grated Parmesan over the top. The steam rising from the bowls, the vibrant colors, the rich smell – it’s just pure comfort. This budget-friendly dinner that feeds the whole family is ready to make everyone happy!