Indulge in the rich flavors of this French-inspired slow cooker cassoulet. Made with tender beans, succulent sausages, and flavorful herbs and spices, this one-pot dish is a perfect comfort food for chilly days. The slow cooking process allows the ingredients to meld together, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that will warm your soul. Serve it with a crusty baguette and a glass of red wine for a truly authentic experience.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried white beans
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 sausages (such as smoked sausage or kielbasa), sliced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Directions
- Rinse the dried white beans and place them in a large bowl. Cover with water and let soak overnight. Drain before using.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Transfer the cooked onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, brown the sliced sausages until they are lightly caramelized. Add them to the slow cooker.
- Drain the soaked beans and add them to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes.
- Add the dried thyme and rosemary, along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir everything together in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the beans are tender.
- Serve the cassoulet hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
- Enjoy this delicious and comforting slow cooker cassoulet with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.
Interesting Facts
Cassoulet is a traditional French dish that originated in the region of Languedoc.
The dish traditionally includes meat, such as pork sausage, duck, and mutton.
Cassoulet gets its name from the earthenware pot, called a 'cassole,' in which it is typically cooked.