Since we are a family of five, make ahead meals really are helpful when life gets busy. And if the recipe can be made in one pot and I am eternally grateful. My Spicy Sausage Bean Casserole ticks both boxes. Either bubbling away on the hob, or in the oven, it’s aroma fills the house with a warm spicy scent. Almost like a warm hug welcoming you home.
Before we get on with the recipe, I wanted to share my thoughts. Autumn, or Fall as it’s called in the States is my favourite season. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Summer, in fact, I like all the seasons. Much as the glorious, unending sunshine places like California offer, I simply love the change in seasons we enjoy here in England. Read Autumn The Most Beautiful Season.
While there is something about, at first, the almost subtle change in weather, usually towards the end of August/beginning of September where I live. Whether it’s the deep, deep green of the leaves on the trees, or the rustle as the wind blows through the drying out leaves. Followed by the gorgeous change, through deepest red to fiery orange and a last nod to the daily lowering of the sun in the sky, as the leaves turn yellow. And confetti, like fluttering of the leaves on a blowy day. Likewise the ravages of an adorned tree, ripped overnight of its leafy covering, by a violent storm.
Spicy Sausage Bean Casserole served with crusty bread.
The welcoming warmth of sunshine. Especially on a clear, frosty, day. Also, there is something to be said though for darker, rain and wind filled days, snuggled up on the sofa, the smell of a spicy casserole, gently bubbling away in the oven. And puddings! A must, some may say essential, during the colder months.
Since first making this dish it has evolved to the final recipe given here. While most of the ingredients are relatively cheap, it is essential to use good quality sausages. Pale, flabby pink sausages will simply disintegrate during the long cooking process. So adding quality pork sausages enhances the overall flavour of the dish. Especially as one packet will feed up to six people.
Spicy Sausage Bean Casserole an easy one pan meal.
You will need a large ( 4 litre) ovenproof casserole dish, or bigger if doubling the recipe to feed a crowd.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper to season.
Note: Having made this dish many times, it has never needed the addition of salt.
First of all place the onion, aubergine and sausages in the casserole dish Andrew pour over the red wine or Port.
Add both tins of tomatoes, then half fill each tin with cold water, swirl around so that you get all of the tomato juices left inside the tin and pour over the casserole.
Next tip in the baked beans and swirl the tin with water as before, pouring into the dish, then add the rinsed butter beans.
If needed add more cold water until all the ingredients are just covered with liquid. Making sure there is still a good inch between the liquid and the top of the casserole dish.
Place the lid (or cover tightly with tin foil) on to the dish and place in the oven.
Cook at 180C for 1/2 hour then reduce the heat to 140C/120C fan, gas mark 1, very low oven temperature.
Leave to cook for 3 hours. Check and top up with recently boiled water so that the ingredients are just covered with liquid again.
Clamp on the lid (or foil) and return to the oven for 2 more hours. You can repeat the liquid adding throughout the day, the longer this casserole cooks the better it tastes!
The Spicy Sausage Bean Casserole will be cooked after 5 1/2 hours.
Serve in bowls, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley for fresh, grassy, Vitamin C filled flavour.
Finally add fresh crusty bread for dunking in the spicy juices.
Leftovers can be chilled, portioned into individual freezer bags and frozen for up to 3 months.
I have wonderful memories attached to making this meal. While on holiday in Devon I wanted to make a meal for friends. Cooking dinner for our hosts resulted in more people being added to the guest list during the day. So extra beans, tomatoes and wine added, we sat happily around their big oak table, enjoying good food and most importantly, great company. Friendships were forged as conversation flowed. Most importantly, it was a feast to remember.
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