Hearty French Sausage Cassoulet Recipe: Rustic Comfort in a Bowl

Sausage cassoulet is a traditional French dish that delivers hearty comfort and rustic flavor.

Built on regional traditions, it combines pork sausages with tender white beans for a meal that’s both filling and flavorful.

Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld together, producing depth that can’t be rushed.

The beans soak up the richness of the meat, while herbs and spices add layers of warmth.

This recipe speaks to the heritage of southern France, where simple staples become celebrated dishes.

Try it today and bring the essence of the French countryside straight to your table!

How To Store James Martin Sausage Cassoulet The Easy Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled cassoulet to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, leaving some space for expansion to prevent container cracking.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place cassoulet in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of broth to prevent drying.

FAQ Help For James Martin Sausage Cassoulet

• What makes this cassoulet different from traditional French cassoulet?

This version uses a slow cooker and incorporates bacon and sausage for extra flavor, making it a more accessible and simplified American-style adaptation of the classic French dish.

• Can I use different types of beans for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute white beans like cannellini or Great Northern beans, which work well and maintain a similar texture and flavor profile.

• Is this recipe considered gluten-free?

The recipe as written appears gluten-free, but always check your sausage and bacon labels to confirm they don’t contain gluten-based additives.

• How spicy is this cassoulet?

The recipe is mild, with herbs and garlic providing flavor. If you want more heat, you can add red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage to increase the spice level.

Why James Martin Sausage Cassoulet Feels So Comforting

• Simplify Cooking: Slow cooker transforms complex French dish into an accessible, hands-off meal that requires minimal active preparation.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Combines crispy bacon, hearty sausage, and creamy beans with rich tomato sauce, creating a deeply satisfying one-pot wonder that warms you from the inside out.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Utilizes affordable ingredients like beans and sausage to create a restaurant-quality dish that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.
• Customizable Protein Power: Easily adaptable with different types of sausage or beans, making it perfect for using up pantry ingredients and catering to personal taste preferences.

What Goes Into James Martin Sausage Cassoulet

• Bacon: Adds a smoky and crispy flavor to the cassoulet.
• Pork: Provides rich and hearty meat component to the dish.
• Sausage: Brings additional depth and traditional flavor to the recipe.

• Beans: Creates a creamy and thick base for the cassoulet.
• Onion: Offers a sweet and aromatic foundation for the dish.
• Tomatoes: Adds acidity and moisture to the overall flavor profile.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Enhance and balance the savory elements of the cassoulet.
• Herbs: Provide additional complexity and traditional French countryside taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Gives a sharp and salty finish to the dish.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh and bright garnish to the cassoulet.

How To Cook James Martin Sausage Cassoulet At Home

Step 1: Crisp The Bacon

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon and crumble into small pieces.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

• Onions
• Herbs
• Garlic

Sauté for 3 minutes until onions become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Combine Initial Flavor Components

• Salt
• Pepper
• Tomatoes

Turn off heat and mix ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4: Prepare Bean Mixture

• Remaining pork
• Sausage
• Whole beans

Mix until well combined.

Step 5: Layer Ingredients In Slow Cooker

• First layer: Bean mixture
• Second layer: Tomato mixture

Repeat layering process.

Step 6: Slow Cook And Serve

Cook on LOW setting for 5 hours with lid covered. Once complete, spoon into serving bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Tips To Improve James Martin Sausage Cassoulet

• Use thick-cut bacon for deeper, richer flavor that enhances the overall dish's taste profile.
• Partially mashing beans creates a creamy base while maintaining some whole beans for varied texture.
• Layer ingredients carefully to ensure even distribution of flavors throughout the cassoulet.
• Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can elevate the aromatic quality of the dish.
• Freshly grated Parmesan adds a sharp, salty finish that complements the hearty sausage and bean mixture.

Tasty Twists On James Martin Sausage Cassoulet

• Vegetarian Cassoulet: Replace sausage and bacon with plant-based protein like tempeh, seitan, or mushroom chorizo. Use vegetable broth instead of meat drippings for depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Swap regular sausage for gluten-free varieties and check tomato and bean labels for potential gluten contamination.
• Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate kalamata olives, swap herbs to include oregano and rosemary, use lamb sausage instead of pork. Add crumbled feta cheese on top for extra Mediterranean flair.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use no-salt-added canned beans, reduced-sodium tomatoes, and cut salt quantity by half. Select lower-sodium sausage or turkey sausage to decrease overall sodium content.

Great Sides For James Martin Sausage Cassoulet

• Pair Rustic Red Wine: Select a robust Côtes du Rhône or Beaujolais that complements the hearty sausage and bacon flavors, enhancing the dish's rich, meaty profile.
• Serve Crusty Sourdough Bread: Slice thick pieces of artisan sourdough to soak up the delicious tomato and bean sauce, adding texture and absorbing the cassoulet's complex flavors.
• Match Crisp Green Salad: Prepare a light salad with bitter greens like arugula, dressed with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the cassoulet's richness and provide a fresh counterpoint.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or thyme over the dish to brighten the deep, earthy flavors and add a vibrant green visual appeal.

Rustic Sausage Cassoulet Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sausage cassoulet is layered with beans, vegetables, and herbs – baked until golden and bubbling. It’s as satisfying as it gets.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound lean boneless pork loin roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 pound reduced-fat smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 slices bacon

Beans and Vegetables:

• 2 (15-ounce) cans of Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans of diced tomatoes, drained
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 teaspoons finely shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
• 8 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

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Instructions

1. Render bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp and golden, then crumble into small pieces.
2. Sauté onions, minced herbs, and garlic in the residual bacon fat for approximately 3 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
3. Return crumbled bacon to the pan, season with salt and pepper, then incorporate diced tomatoes and briefly combine.
4. Partially mash half the beans in a mixing bowl, creating a rustic, chunky texture to help thicken the cassoulet.
5. Gently fold in whole beans, pork, and sausage into the mashed bean mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Layer the bean and meat mixture into a slow cooker, alternating with the tomato mixture to create distinct flavor stratification.
7. Set slow cooker to LOW temperature and cook covered for 5 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop rich, deep flavors.
8. Ladle into bowls and finish with Parmesan and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Use thick-cut bacon for a richer, more intense flavor that adds depth to the cassoulet’s overall taste profile.
• Mash some beans to create a creamy texture that helps bind the ingredients and thicken the dish naturally.
• For a gluten-free version, ensure all sausage and bacon are certified gluten-free and check tomato ingredients carefully.
• Consider using smoked sausage for an extra layer of complexity that elevates the traditional cassoulet flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 292 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 734 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg