Inspiration from Instagram.

Yes, I am on Instagram as I love to share my recipes with others. It’s also a chance to see what everyone else is making in order to get a little food inspiration myself. A few weeks ago I saw this Sausage & Bean Casserole by Damn Delicious and knew I had to give it a go! I did, however, adapt it to simplify the cooking time and adjusted some ingredients used to create my own version.

The beans in this recipe are kidney beans. What I learnt is that if kidney beans are raw or not cooked properly, they can be toxic. If you choose to cook your own kidney beans, make sure they are well cooked! By buying canned beans, you can be assured they are safe of toxins and are healthy for you. They are rich in nutrients, contain fibre and are high in protein.

Kidney beans are among the best sources of plant-based protein. They’re also rich in healthy fibre, which moderate blood sugar levels and promote colon health.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/kidney-beans

This recipe calls for kransky sausage. If you don’t know what a kransky is, you’re about to learn. The word “kransky” comes from the Slovenian words “kranjska klobasa” to represent a locally made sausage. Kranskys are made from mostly pork with a little bacon, water, salt, garlic, salt and black pepper then hot smoked. Here in Australia they often are available in two varieties – plain or with cheese. Please ensure you use the plain version in this recipe as can’t guarantee what this dish would taste like with the cheese one!

What I love about this sausage & bean casserole is that it’s so full of smoky rich complex flavours. With the Cajun seasoning it has a little warmth to it but it isn’t spicy. This is a great winter warmer for the family when a cold night demands comfort food.

Sausage & Beans Casserole

The flavours in this sausage & beans casserole is smoky and complex from the Kransky sausage and Cajun seasoning. Made in one pot makes clean up a breeze. A warming winter meal that is just delicious!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

 

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 300 g smoked kransky sausage, thinly sliced
• 1 miedium onion, diced
• 1 large red capsicum, diced
• 2 sticks celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 3 cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon tabasco sauce, optional
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

 

• Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage, onion, capsicum and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste, garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
• Stir in beans, chicken stock, tabasco sauce (optional) and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until reduced.
• Using a wooden spoon, mash beans until slightly thickened if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove bay leaves and serve immediately, topped with a little cooked white rice and garnished with parsley, if desired.

Notes

• If you don't have cajun seasoning available, try making your own. Simply mix together the following ingredients: 
  2 tablespoons garlic powder, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon dried thyme and 1 tablespoon onion powder.
• If you have spice sensitive children like me, add the tabasco sauce when you serve up the meals so you can have some heat while the kids get this dish nice and mild.