Hearty Italian Sausage & Parmesan Stew Recipe For Cozy Nights

Hearty and rich, this creamy parmesan Italian sausage stew delivers comfort on your plate in every delectable spoonful.

Savory Italian sausage simmers alongside tender vegetables, creating a robust meal that warms you from the inside out.

The blend of herbs and cheese weaves a luxurious texture through each bite.

Robust flavors dance with creamy undertones, promising a satisfying dinner that feels like a culinary embrace.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this stew answers that call with bold, Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Grab your favorite bowl and prepare for a taste adventure that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 7

Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Stew Ingredients

• Italian Sausage: Brings bold, spicy essence and hearty texture to the stew, choose high-quality ground sausage with robust seasoning for maximum flavor depth.
• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans add protein and velvety richness, select canned beans that are soft yet intact with minimal blemishes.

• Onion: Provides sweet foundational flavor and aromatic base, pick firm, smooth onions without soft spots.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent undertones, choose plump cloves with tight, unblemished skin.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant kick, use fresh flakes for maximum spiciness.
• Spinach: Brings fresh green color and nutrient boost, select crisp, deep green leaves without wilting.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds tangy brightness and moisture, opt for high-quality canned tomatoes with rich color.

• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid foundation with savory depth, choose low-sodium versions for better control.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and rich mouthfeel, select fresh, high-fat content cream.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, salty complexity, use freshly grated cheese for most intense flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance overall taste profile, use freshly ground black pepper for best results.

Tools That Help Simmer Sausage Stew Easily

• Large pot: Essential for cooking sausage and building stew base.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and spinach.
• Sharp knife: Helps dice vegetables and prepare ingredients precisely.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate liquid and ingredient measurements.
• Grater: Used for creating fresh Parmesan cheese shreds.
• Colander: Helpful for rinsing cannellini beans.

How to Cook a Creamy Stew With Depth

• Sausage Foundation Preparation

Brown the sausage in a large pot, breaking it into delicious crumbles. Ensure fat releases for rich flavor depth.

• Aromatic Flavor Builders

Toss in onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Allow ingredients to dance together and develop deep, complex notes.

• Liquid Gold Introduction

Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping any caramelized bits from the bottom. Let the liquid capture all hidden flavor treasures.

• Creamy Comfort Fusion

Swirl heavy cream into the bubbling mixture. Add Parmesan, spinach, tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Watch ingredients meld into a harmonious symphony.

• Gentle Simmering Transformation

Season with salt and pepper. Allow stew to gently simmer, letting flavors intertwine and develop a luxurious, comforting personality. Stir occasionally to encourage culinary magic.

Flavor Add-Ins for a Bold Parmesan Touch

• Sausage Sensation Swaps: Experiment with different types of sausage like spicy chorizo or mild turkey sausage to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood or dietary preferences.
• Veggie Volume Boost: Toss in extra vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or kale to increase nutrition and add more texture to the stew. Chop them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and maximum flavor distribution.
• Creamy Cheese Creativity: Try alternative cheese options such as Romano, Asiago, or a blend of cheeses to give the stew a different depth of richness. Grate fresh cheese for the most vibrant taste experience.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance. Want a mild version? Use just a pinch. Craving something fiery? Double up on the spice for a kick that'll warm you from the inside out.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This stew tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Gently reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if the stew has thickened too much during storage.

Serving the Stew with Crusty Bread or Pasta

• Hearty Meal Companion: Serve this stew with crusty Italian bread or warm garlic toast to soak up the rich, creamy broth and add a delightful crunch.
• Protein Power Boost: Top each bowl with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley to enhance flavor and add a vibrant green touch.
• Comfort Meal Pairing: Create a complete dinner by serving alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the stew's richness and add freshness to the meal.
• Wine Lover's Choice: Complement the stew's robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which pairs perfectly with the Italian sausage and creamy texture.

Storage Instructions for Creamy Sausage Stew

• Quick Refrigeration Magic: Store leftover stew in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Sealed containers keep the flavors locked in and prevent bacterial growth, maintaining the delicious taste for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: This stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving slight space for expansion. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw refrigerated stew in the fridge overnight. Reheat gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency and prevent scorching.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide stew into individual meal-sized containers before refrigerating. This approach makes quick lunches or dinners super convenient, allowing you to grab and reheat exactly what you need without defrosting the entire batch.

Rich Parmesan Italian Sausage Stew

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty parmesan italian sausage stew marries robust flavors from Italian countryside traditions with comforting winter warmth. Simmering ingredients create rich, satisfying layers that nourish both body and soul, inviting you to savor each delicious spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage, casing removed
• 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sear and Crumble: Heat a large pot over medium-high flame. Aggressively brown Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbly pieces until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior with deep golden hues.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Add diced onions, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the rendered sausage fat. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and release their fragrant essence, creating a flavor-packed base.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the pot, vigorously scraping the browned bits from the bottom. This technique captures the concentrated flavor profile and establishes a robust cooking liquid.
4. Creamy Transformation: Introduce heavy cream, grated Parmesan, fresh spinach, diced tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Stir thoroughly to blend ingredients, allowing their textures and flavors to harmonize seamlessly.
5. Simmer and Meld: Reduce heat to low, letting the stew gently simmer. Occasionally stir to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Continue until the liquid slightly thickens and ingredients create a rich, cohesive texture, typically 20-25 minutes.

Notes

• Sear for Depth: Browning the sausage intensifies the overall flavor, creating a rich caramelized base that transforms the entire stew’s taste profile.
• Balance Spice Wisely: Red pepper flakes add subtle heat; adjust quantity based on personal spice tolerance to prevent overwhelming the delicate cream-based sauce.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Gradually add Parmesan and stir continuously to prevent clumping, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture throughout the stew.
• Prevent Cream Separation: Maintain a gentle simmer when adding cream to avoid curdling, which can compromise the stew’s luxurious consistency and appearance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 855 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 81 mg