Spicy Sausage Cassoulet

Sometimes I have to remind myself—sausage isn’t just for pizza or pasta. This cozy cassoulet brings it front and center with bold, warming flavor and hearty comfort in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that begs for a cold winter night, a generous scoop of melted cheese, and a crusty bread bowl to hold it all.

I mean, honestly—if serving something in a bread bowl is wrong, I don’t want to be right!

Let’s Cook!

• In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil.
• Add the sausage, breaking it apart as it browns.
• Once sausage is cooked through, add carrot and onion. Sauté until softened.
• Stir in garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook for 5 more minutes to build flavor.
• Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken stock, scraping up the brown bits.
• Add the beans and spicy marinara.
• Simmer for about 10 minutes, letting everything come together.
• Remove bay leaves and season with freshly ground black pepper.

For the bread bowls:

• Cut the ends off a loaf of Italian bread to create individual bowls (or if you need more, slice the loaf in half to make rafts).
• Toast until lightly browned.
• Use a measuring cup to hollow out a space for the cassoulet

To Serve:

• Spoon cassoulet into the bread bowls and top with asiago and cheese.
• Broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
• Optional: Place a spoonful of cassoulet in the bottom of a bowl, top with the cheesy bread bowl, and garnish with chopped parsley.

To serve, fill the bread with the cassoulet and top with the cheeses. Broil for a couple minutes or until the cheeses are melted and golden brown. Place some of the cassoulet in the bottom of a soup bowl, top with the bread boat, and sprinkle with a bit of parsley.

So filling and delicious. We almost forgot it was winter! What’s your favorite sausage dish? I hope you enjoy it in good health and surrounded by those you love!

Eat well friends!