White Beans with Tomato and Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 links Italian sausage, about 8 ounces total
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper, optional
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 ounces frozen chopped spinach
• Salt, to taste
• Crusty bread, for serving

Instructions

1. Warm the oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Brown the sausage links until the outsides are golden and the links are firm enough to slice, about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a board, cut them into rounds, and return them to the pot.
2. Continue cooking until the sausage is browned. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion softens, scraping up any browned bits.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper, and a generous amount of black pepper.
4. Add the beans and frozen spinach. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until hot and the spinach is distributed, about 10 minutes. Add salt to taste and simmer longer if a thicker mixture is wanted.
5. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

• For a looser, stew-like consistency, add chicken or vegetable broth while the mixture simmers.
• Try hot or sweet Italian sausage or chicken sausage. Serve over toast, or top with a fried egg or cheese.