Smart Recipe Kitchen

2026-03-13

Serves: 4 | Total time: ~35 minutes | Why it works: Beans thicken naturally, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach add depth, and sausage gives flavor without long simmering.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), chopped
• 2 cans (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, black pepper, juice of 1/2 lemon

Method

1. Brown sausage in oil over medium-high, 5–6 minutes; remove.
2. Saut89 onion 3 minutes; add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes 30 seconds.
3. Add beans, broth, red pepper flakes, pinch of salt/pepper. Simmer 8 minutes.
4. Return sausage; stir in half-and-half and spinach until wilted. Add Parmesan; simmer 1–2 minutes to thicken.
5. Finish with lemon juice; adjust seasoning. Serve with crusty bread.