One Skillet Butter Bean, Sausage, and Leeks

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 leeks (thinly sliced, white and light green parts only)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 oz butter beans (15oz cans, drained)
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan (plus more for garnish)
• 2 cup bone broth
• 2 cup baby spinach or kale
• salt & pepper (if needed)
• fresh herbs (for garnish)
• crusty bread (for serving)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Add ground Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, using a spatula to break it into small pieces. Once cooked through, remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

3. 3

   Prepare the leeks by thinly slicing the white and light green parts. Place the sliced leeks in a large bowl of water and rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Drain well.

4. 4

   In the same skillet used for the sausage, add 1 tablespoon of butter, the sliced leeks, and minced garlic.

5. 5

   Cook the leeks and garlic until the leeks are softened, stirring often to prevent burning.

6. 6

   Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet.

7. 7

   Add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and stir to incorporate it into the mixture.

8. 8

   Add the drained butter beans, 2 cups of bone broth, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

9. 9

   Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, mixing often, until the broth begins to thicken and the flavors meld.

10. 10

    Remove the skillet from the heat.

11. 11

    Add a handful (about 2 cups) of baby spinach or kale and stir until the greens are wilted.

12. 12

    Garnish with fresh herbs and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Notes

Some users suggest that 2 cups of broth might be too much if you prefer a thicker consistency; you can reduce it to 1.5 cups if desired. For a soupier version, increase broth to 4 cups. You can substitute ground turkey or ground pork with Italian seasonings if you don't have Italian sausage.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-skillet
• budget-friendly
• dinner
• high-protein
• high-fiber
• beans