Italian White Bean Sausage Stew

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Italian White Bean Sausage Stew.

1. Step 1

   Begin by soaking the cannellini beans in cold water for eight hours or overnight, then drain and set them aside.

2. Step 2

   In a dry soup pot over medium-high heat, remove the casing from the Italian sausage links and add the sausage to the pot.

3. Step 3

   Sauté the sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, for about five to seven minutes until it caramelizes and clings to the bottom of the pot.

4. Step 4

   Next, introduce the chopped onion, stirring it in the rendered sausage fat until it becomes translucent, which should take around five minutes.

5. Step 5

   Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any flavorful browned bits.

6. Step 6

   Now, stir in black pepper, red pepper flakes, a bay leaf, and water.

7. Step 7

   Add the drained beans, crank up the heat to high, and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil.

8. Step 8

   Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for thirty minutes.

9. Step 9

   After this time, season with salt and continue simmering until the beans are tender, which should take another thirty minutes.

10. Step 10

    For a creamier consistency, mash about a quarter of the beans with a potato masher.

11. Step 11

    Stir in the chopped kale, raise the heat to medium, and cook until the kale is tender, about ten to fifteen minutes.

12. Step 12

    Taste and adjust the salt as necessary.

13. Step 13

    Finally, ladle the steaming stew into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a dash of red pepper flakes before serving.

14. Step 14

    Enjoy this hearty dish that warms the soul and brings comfort to your table.