Creole Sausage & Bean Bake 🌶️🍛
Description: This fiery Creole dish, originating from the vibrant city of New Orleans, packs a punch of spice and flavor. Perfectly balanced with beans and savory sausage, it’s a hearty meal that warms the soul. Adjust the heat to your preference by choosing a milder sausage and adjusting the amount of hot pepper sauce. Serve it over fluffy rice for a complete and satisfying experience. Ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining larger groups, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 pork sausage links
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 onion
- 1 green pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 cups kidney beans
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/8 cup hot pepper sauce (adjust to taste)
Instructions:
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Prepare Sausage: In a large skillet, place the sausage links and add 1/2 cup of water. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, allowing the sausages to partially cook. Drain the water and continue cooking the sausages uncovered until they are nicely browned. This step ensures that the sausage is cooked through and develops a delicious flavor.
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Saute Vegetables: Add diced onions, sliced green peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned sausage. Cook until the vegetables are tender but not browned, stirring occasionally to combine all the flavors.
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Combine Ingredients: Stir in the kidney beans, tomato sauce, additional 1/2 cup of water, sugar, crumbled bay leaves, and hot pepper sauce. The combination of these ingredients creates a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the sausage and beans perfectly.
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Simmer: Bring the sausage and bean mixture to a gentle boil, allowing the flavors to meld together. This simmering process infuses the dish with all the aromatic spices and ensures that each bite is bursting with flavor.
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Transfer to Casserole Dish: Once the mixture is well combined and heated through, pour it into a large ovenproof casserole dish. This dish will go into the oven to finish cooking, so ensure it’s large enough to accommodate all the ingredients.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole dish, uncovered, in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. This allows the flavors to further develop and intensify while the dish cooks to perfection.
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Serve: Once baked, remove the Creole Sausage & Bean Bake from the oven. Serve it piping hot over a bed of fluffy rice, allowing the savory sauce to mingle with the rice grains for a truly satisfying meal.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 777.4
- Fat: 42.4g
- Saturated Fat: 13.6g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
- Sodium: 2660.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 60.1g
- Fiber: 15.9g
- Sugar: 14.9g
- Protein: 41g
Tips:
- For a milder version, use a mild sausage variety and reduce the amount of hot pepper sauce.
- Serve with freshly cooked rice or crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated before serving, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Experiment with different types of beans or add extra vegetables for a nutritious twist.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or scallions for a pop of color and freshness.