I had to start off our 5 ingredients series with what’s been my go to “shut my brain off” meal for years because it’s cheap, healthy, filling, and incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect cozy meal for a rainy day, and is loaded with fiber, protein, and greens making a super balanced meal!
Why I love this recipe:
- I’ve been making this recipe since college because it’s cheap, healthy, and stupidly easy to make. The limited ingredients keep it super simple, and the majority of the time is hands off.
- When I say this recipe is cheap, I mean it. It comes out to $8 for the ENTIRE recipe, that’s like $2 a serving!!! Insane.
- It’s got greens, protein, fiber – pretty much a shut my brain off and make sure I’m getting nutrients kind of recipe.
- Frying the garlic at the beginning does double duty – it flavors the olive oil the rest of the dish is cooked with, and then you get these perfectly crispy garlic chips to add texture to the meal at the end – they’re so good!
Notes:
- Since this recipe doesn’t have a lot of ingredients, I like to choose a sausage brand that has a lot of flavor. Some of my favorites are Aidell’s roasted garlic, Whole Foods or Aidell’s Italian style, and the Spicy Italian or Roasted Garlic from Trader Joe’s.
- This recipe is a go to when I’m coming back from vacation, because chicken sausage keeps in the fridge for a long time, I almost always have a bouillon cube and beans in the pantry, and I just need to grab a bag of kale to make it a meal.
- I actually prefer this recipe with bouillon cubes, because I can make a higher concentrated broth which adds extra flavor without too much liquid. I usually use regular chicken broth if I already have it open.
5 Ingredient Kale Sausage White Bean Stew
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A 5 ingredient recipe that’s cheap, filling, and packed with nutrients!
Ingredients
For the White Bean Kale Sausage Stew:
- 12oz chicken sausage, sliced into 1” pieces
- 2 15oz cans white cannellini or northern beans (do not drain)
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 4 cups shredded kale
- 1½ tsps chicken bouillon powder
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bonus Ingredients (optional):
- Lemon zest + juice
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
For the 5 Ingredient Sausage Kale White Bean Stew:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and tilt the pan to one side to cook the garlic in the oil. Once golden brown, remove and set on paper towels to drain. Keep a close eye on them and pull them as soon as they turn golden brown so they don’t burn.
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Add the chicken sausage to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown on one side. Flip and cook for 1 minute more, before adding the canned beans with the juices from the can. The juices are the starch that releases from cooking the beans and helps thicken the stew.
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Dissolve the bouillon in 1 cup of water and add to the pot. Increase the heat to medium high and once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and keep at a rolling bubble for 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
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Using the back of a silicone spoon or spatula, mash about a fourth of the beans to thicken the stew further. Add in the kale with ¼ cup broth or water, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Cover and cook for 1-2 minute or until tender and bright green.
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Shut off the heat and serve, topping the stew with the fried garlic, lemon zest and juice (if using), and red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25-30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot