Sausage Bean Casserole

This recipe has comfort food written all over it.  It’s hearty, and warm and cozy.  We found it in the October 2009 issue of Real Simple and I loved it from my first taste.  I’ve noticed that all Real Simple recipes serve four and that a quarter of a dish is quite a lot!  So, I’ve started eating half a serving and I find it quite filling!
 

Sausage Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 lbs Italian sausage
• 2 chopped carrots
• 2 chopped cloves of garlic
• 2 bunches of shredded spinach
• 2 x 15.5 oz cans of cannellini beans
• salt and pepper

 Instructions
Preheat oven to 400
 
Heat 1 T oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.  Chop the sausage into bite sized pieces and brown in the skillet for about 5-6 minutes.  Remove the sausage from the pan

Add carrots and garlic to the skillet and cook for a minute.  Then add the spinach and cook for about a minute or until it is wilted.  Then add the beans and a half cup water, the quarter teaspoon of salt and pepper.  Bring this mixture to a boil and then add back the sausage.

Move the skillet into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden.
 
Nutritionals (Serves 8): Cals: 255, Fat: 15, Protein: 13, Carb:18, Fiber: 5.