Sausage and White Bean Ragout with Kale (Ragu) Recipe / Video

Name: Sausage and White Bean Ragout with Kale
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp e.v. olive oil; 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage; 1 cup onion, diced; 1 Tbsp garlic, minced; 28 ounces can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed; 20 ounces (~ 2 cups) canned diced tomatoes with juices; 6 ounces kale (~ 6 cups, 1 large head), roughly chopped; 2 medium zucchini, diced or sliced; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Parmesan cheese, grated - optional; crushed red chili flakes - optional for spiciness

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This Italian sausage and white bean ragout with kale recipe is cooked with onions, garlic, cannellini beans, zucchini, and tomatoes.

This sausage, kale, and bean ragout recipe is a favorite in our home and a "go-to" dinner.

Ground sausage, chunks of kale, diced zucchini, tomatoes, and white beans on two white plates with silverware and orange drinks. — This sausage and bean ragout is made as the recipe outlined below and is faster than the video instructional. If you want more texture and reduction follow the video on searing the zucchini first and reducing the tomatoes with the sausage first. *Both methods are delicious. They are just different in texture.*

Cooking Tips for Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Kale

Don't drain and rinse the white beans if you want a thicker sausage and bean ragout.

Can't find cannellini beans? Use any white bean for this kale and sausage ragu. Other examples of white beans are navy beans, northern beans, lima beans, and butter beans.

Don't want to chop kale? Use arugula or spinach instead. Both arugula and spinach are soft and wilt fast, so throw it in the pot right before serving.

The recipe instructions below are for a softer stew type ragout. The cooking video instructional is for a more textured, reduced (not as saucy), and crunchier sausage and white bean ragu.

Raw Ingredients on wood cutting board: can of diced tomatoes, zucchini, onions, pepper, garlic, white cannellini beans, chopped kale, olive oil, water if needed. — *Some of the Ingredients for sausage ragout: can of diced tomatoes, zucchini, onions, pepper, garlic, white cannellini beans, chopped kale, olive oil, water if needed.*

What is Ragout / Ragu?

There is no difference in pronunciation between ragout and ragu. Both spellings are pronounced like ragu sounds.

Ragout is a slow cooked French based stew that can be made with meat and / or vegetables.

Ragu is an Italian meat and vegetable based dish that is generally served with pasta. Both ragouts and ragus are hearty comfort food dishes.

We eat this sausage, bean, and kale ragout over pasta, quinoa, or rice.

Top down view of two plates of ragout: cooked sausage, sliced seared zucchini, chopped kale, white beans, and tomato. Side of hot chili flakes on the side. — This image is taken directly after the video tutorial above. This takes the extra step of searing the zucchini first and adding a little more texture to the dish. This method takes a wee bit more time.

Variations on Sausage, Kale, and Bean Ragout

Use spicy Italian sausage with this white bean and sausage ragout if you like it hot. Stick with mild sausage if sensitive to heat.

This sausage ragout recipe is also versatile with vegetables, bean types, and protein. Don't like kale? Cool, skip it or serve with wilted spinach or arugula. Don't have white beans? Try it with kidney beans or black beans.

Even the Italian sausage can be interchangeable in this recipe. Try chicken sausage, diced chicken, white fish, or vegetarian quorn products.

Want a vegetarian or vegan ragout? Double the beans or veggies and leave out the meat. Throw in more zucchini and kale. We eat ragout without meat all the time.

What to Eat With Sausage, Bean, Kale Ragout

On warmer days, serve sausage and white bean ragout on it's own with no grain or starch.

When hungrier or if it's cold out, try sausage and bean ragout over quinoa, farro, polenta / grits, egg noodles, rice, pasta, or gnocchi.

Like cheese? Garnish sausage bean kale ragu with a little cheese before serving or make Parmesan Crisps.

Side view of two plates of ragout: cooked sausage, sliced seared zucchini, chopped kale, white beans, and tomato. Side of hot chili flakes on the side. Napkins, silverware, and glasses in background. — *This image is taken directly after the video. This takes the extra step of searing the zucchini first which adds a little more texture to the dish. This method takes a wee bit more time.*

Sausage and Bean Ragout with Kale FAQS

What is the difference between ragout and ragu?

Both are pronounced as ragu. Ragout is a slow cooked French based stew that can be made with meat and / or vegetables. Ragu is an Italian meat and vegetable based dish that generally is served with pasta. Both ragouts and ragus are hearty comfort food dishes.

What kind of bean is a white bean?

White beans are white. It's not a trick! Traditionally, Italians use a lot of creamy large cannellini beans (the white version of kidney beans). But, literally any white bean will work for sausage ragout. Try navy beans, Northern beans, lima beans, or butter beans.