Italian Sausage & Bean Casserole
This is a wonderful comforting and warming dish!  It is made with Italian sausages, borlotti & cannellini beans topped with a parmesan & herb breadcrumb topping and served with crusty bread – delicious!    
Servings: 4 yield(s)
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 600 g Italian Sausages
  • 180 g smoked pancetta (cubed)
  • 1 onion (peeled & finely sliced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (peeled & crushed)
  • 1 good pinch of chilli flakes
  • 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 300 ml chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark brown soft sugar
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 200 g tin of borlotti beans
  • 200 g tin of cannellini beans
  • sea salt & pepper (freshly ground)
    • For the breadcrumb topping
  • 50 g panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 garlic clove (peeled & crushed)
  • 1 handful of fresh flat leaf parsley (finely chopped)
  • 30 g Parmesan cheese
    • To serve
  • crusty bread
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/Gas mark 7.
  2. Heat a large ovenproof casserole over a medium heat and add the oil once heated add the sausages and cook for 10 minutes until the sausages are evenly browned. Remove the sausages and set aside.
  3. Now add the pancetta to the pan and cook until brown and crisp, set aside with the sausages.
  4. Add the onions to the pan and fry on a medium heat until softened, add more oil if necessary, stir often – this should take around 5 minutes. Now add the garlic and fry for a further 2-3 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle the chilli flakes and cook for around 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, herbs and wine – boil and bring to the simmer.
  6. Add the sausages and bacon and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the topping by mixing the breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley and Parmesan - season to taste.
  7. Add the beans to the casserole and scatter over the breadcrumbs. Place back in the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
  8. Allow to stand for a few minutes then serve with crusty bread - enjoy!