White Bean and Sausage bake

I stumbled across this recipe last fall and for some reason it has yet to make the blog.  As the weather is getting colder in Pennsylvania, I was bringing out the comfort foods and this is a classic go to recipe.  Best of all, it's HEALTHY! That's hard to find in heart warming, hearty, and comforting casseroles.  The first time you try this, you'll fall in love with it too.  It's so easy to whip up, it's cheap, and the leftovers are even better!  Use some turkey or chicken sausage for a low calorie meal, but if you're not worried about the calories, then feel free to use kielbasa or whatever type of sausage makes you happy.  The spicier, the better!  I beg you, try this dish this fall or winter!  It smells so good when you come in from the brisk outdoors, it makes me think snowy days, warm scarves, cold noses and hot cocoa.  This will be a huge hit with everyone.

 Ingredients:

• Cooking spray 
• 1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)  (I don't use onions because I hate their texture, but feel free to add for yourself) 
• 1 (16-ounce) package light smoked (smokey)  turkey sausage (such as Hillshire Farm), cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 (16-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)   (I use a 1/4 of a teaspoon, but you can use up to a 1/2 of a teaspoon) 
• 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs (they are extra crunchy) 

Directions 

   

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and turkey sausage to pan; sauté for 5 minutes or until browned. Add garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar, tomato paste, dried thyme, freshly ground black pepper, cannellini beans, and bay leaf. Add ground red pepper, if desired. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over bean mixture, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until browned. Discard bay leaf. 

 Original recipe at Cooking Light