This quick sauté recipe featuring sausage, kale, and crouton is an ideal meal for those looking for a fast and satisfying dinner. The robust flavors of sweet Italian sausage blend perfectly with the hearty kale and crispy croutons. It's ready in minutes and will leave you feeling full and content.
The ingredients for this recipe are mostly common pantry items. However, you might want to pay attention to a few items if they are not readily available in your kitchen. In particular, fresh sweet Italian sausages and curly kale might require a trip to the supermarket. If you can't find fresh sweet Italian sausage, you can substitute it with any sausage of your preference. Similarly, if curly kale is not available, you can use other variants of kale.
Ingredients for Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Quick Sauté
Olive oil: A healthy cooking oil used for sautéing. It adds a subtle flavor to the dish.
White bread: Used to make the croutons. It provides a nice crunchy texture.
Sweet Italian sausages: Brings a robust flavor to the dish. Can be replaced with any sausage of your preference.
Garlic: Adds an aromatic flavor to the dish.
White beans: Adds a creamy texture and fiber to the dish.
Curly kale leaves: A nutrient-dense vegetable that adds a hearty texture to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the dish.
Red pepper flakes: Adds a spicy kick. Adjust based on your preference.
Red wine vinegar: Used for deglazing the pan and adds a tangy flavor to the dish.
Parmesan: Adds a nutty and savory flavor. It's optional but highly recommended.
One reader, Kristos Tice says:
This quick sauté recipe with sausage, kale, and crouton is a game-changer! The flavors blend perfectly, and the dish is so satisfying. The croutons add a delightful crunch, and the sausage and kale complement each other beautifully. It's a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and hearty meal.
Key Techniques for Making a Flavorful Sauté
How to make croutons: Heat two glugs of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bread cubes and toast, stirring, until lightly browned and mostly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.
How to cook the sausage: Push the croutons aside and add another glug to the pan, then the garlic and sausage meat. Cook, breaking up sausage into small bits, until browned all over.
How to cook the greens and beans: Add the greens and cook until they begin to wilt, then add the beans and warm through. Season well with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add vinegar to the pan and use it to scrape up any stuck bits.
How to serve: Scrape the sauté into bowls, finish with cheese if desired, and inhale.
How To Make Quick Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté from Smitten Kitchen Every Day
Everything you want in a meal in one pan with this recipe for kale, sausage, and crouton saute. It cooks in half an hour, making it a great weeknight dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 2cupscube of sturdy white bread,(such as sourdough or ciabatta)
- ½lbfresh sweet Italian sausages,casings removed
- 1clovegarlic,minced or pressed
- ¾cupwhite beans,(about half a 15.5 oz can, 200 g), cooked
- 2handfulscurly kale leaves,or more, to taste, torn
- kosher salt,and freshly ground black pepper
- red pepper flakes,to taste
- 2tbspred wine vinegar
- grated parmesan,optional
Instructions
-
Heat two glugs of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bread cubes and toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until lightly browned and mostly crisp.
-
Push the croutons aside and add another glug to the pan, then the garlic and sausage meat. Cook, breaking up sausage into small bits, until browned all over.
-
Add the greens and cook until they begin to wilt, then add the beans and warm through. Season well with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
-
Add vinegar to the pan and use it to scrape up any stuck bits.
-
Scrape the sauté into bowls, finish with cheese if desired, and inhale.
Nutrition
- Calories: 281.91kcal
- Fat: 7.44g
- Saturated Fat: 2.32g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.44g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.90g
- Carbohydrates: 34.11g
- Fiber: 6.61g
- Sugar: 2.01g
- Protein: 20.23g
- Cholesterol: 17.01mg
- Sodium: 431.98mg
- Calcium: 135.00mg
- Potassium: 836.09mg
- Iron: 5.40mg
- Vitamin A: 5.00µg
- Vitamin C: 1.62mg
Expert Advice: Technique Tip for Enhancing This Sauté Dish
When making your croutons, ensure that the bread cubes are evenly coated with olive oil. This will ensure they brown evenly and have a crisp texture. Also, don't rush the browning process. Let them toast on medium-high heat for the recommended 3 to 4 minutes. Rushing this step could result in unevenly toasted croutons or even worse, burnt ones. Lastly, using a sturdy white bread will hold up better during the sautéing process and provide a satisfying crunch in the final dish.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Sauté Recipe
Plan ahead: Prep ingredients and tools in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Multitask: Cook multiple components simultaneously to save time and energy.
Use pre-cooked ingredients: Utilize pre-cooked or pre-prepared items like canned beans or pre-cooked sausages for quicker assembly.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean to work efficiently and avoid unnecessary clutter.
Invest in quality tools: Quality kitchen tools can make food preparation faster and more efficient.
Minimize chopping: Opt for pre-chopped or pre-sliced ingredients to reduce prep time.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe to avoid unnecessary steps and save time on decision-making.
Clean as you go: Wash and put away dishes and utensils while cooking to minimize cleanup time later.
Utilize leftovers: Repurpose leftovers into new dishes to save time on meal prep.
Substitute Ingredients For Quick Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar high smoke point and mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in sautéing.
sturdy white bread - Substitute with sourdough bread: Sourdough bread provides a tangy flavor and a sturdy texture, which can work well in this recipe.
fresh sweet Italian sausages - Substitute with chicken sausage: Chicken sausage offers a leaner option with similar savory flavors, making it a healthier alternative.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic, adding a unique twist to the dish.
cooked white beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a creamy texture and mild flavor, serving as a suitable replacement for white beans.
curly kale leaves - Substitute with Swiss chard: Swiss chard offers a similar texture and flavor profile to kale, making it a great alternative in this recipe.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a 1:1 replacement for kosher salt, providing a similar level of salinity.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can add a subtle smoky flavor and mild heat, complementing the dish like red pepper flakes.
red wine vinegar - Substitute with balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar offers a slightly sweeter and more complex flavor compared to red wine vinegar, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
grated parmesan - Substitute with pecorino Romano: Pecorino Romano provides a similar salty and nutty flavor to parmesan, making it a suitable alternative for grating over the dish.
Plating Ideas for a Delicious Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté
Elevate the plating: When presenting this dish, focus on creating a visually appealing arrangement. Use the vibrant colors of the kale and sausage to create a balanced and attractive composition on the plate.
Incorporate texture contrast: Introduce a textural element to the dish by adding a crispy element, such as a delicate parmesan crisp, to provide a contrast to the tender sausage and kale.
Highlight the sausage: Showcase the star ingredient by arranging the sautéed sausage in a visually striking manner, ensuring it takes center stage on the plate.
Emphasize the freshness of the kale: Display the torn curly kale leaves in a way that highlights their freshness and vibrant green color, adding a touch of elegance to the presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the dish to breathe and create a sense of balance, drawing attention to the key components of the sauté.
Add a finishing touch with grated parmesan: Sprinkle the grated parmesan over the dish just before serving, adding a final burst of flavor and a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making a Quick Sauté
- Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and sautéing ingredients.
- Tongs: Used for gripping and lifting hot items, such as sausages, croutons, and vegetables, while cooking.
- Knife: Essential for slicing and chopping ingredients, such as garlic, sausage, and kale.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients, such as bread cubes and vegetables.
- Grater: Used for grating parmesan cheese to add a finishing touch to the dish.
- Measuring cup: Essential for accurately measuring and adding ingredients like olive oil and vinegar.
- Spatula: Used for stirring and flipping ingredients in the skillet while cooking.
- Garlic press: For easily mincing garlic to add flavor to the dish.
- Large heavy skillet: A large, heavy-bottomed pan used for cooking the sausage, croutons, and vegetables.
Storage and Freezing Guidelines for Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté
Let the sauté cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the croutons soggy.
To store in the fridge, transfer the cooled sauté to an airtight container. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
For longer storage, freeze the sauté in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date and contents. The sauté will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat from frozen, thaw the sauté overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and prevent sticking.
If you plan to freeze the sauté, consider undercooking the kale slightly. This will help it retain its texture better after thawing and reheating.
Store any leftover Parmesan cheese separately in an airtight container in the fridge. Freshly grate the cheese over the reheated sauté just before serving for the best flavor and texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté
- To reheat leftover quick sauté with sausage, kale, and croutons, start by placing a large skillet over medium heat and adding a splash of olive oil or butter to the pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the leftover sauté to the skillet and stir gently to distribute the ingredients evenly. If the mixture seems dry, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to help moisten it and prevent the ingredients from sticking to the pan.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the sauté to heat through for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. The kale should be tender and the sausage and beans should be heated through.
- If you find that the croutons have become soggy during storage, you can remove them from the skillet and place them on a baking sheet. Pop the baking sheet into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the croutons are crispy again.
- Once the sauté is heated through and the croutons are crispy, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt, black pepper, or red pepper flakes to enhance the flavors.
- Serve the reheated sauté in bowls, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, if desired. Enjoy your delicious, revitalized meal!
Interesting Trivia About Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté
Sausage, kale, and croutons are a classic combination in Italian cuisine, often used in dishes like ribollita and minestrone.
Budget-Friendly: Is This Sauté Recipe Economical for Home Cooking?
This sausage, kale, and crouton sauté is a cost-effective meal for a household. The ingredients, such as Italian sausages, kale, and white beans, are affordable and nutritious. The dish offers a balance of protein, fiber, and vitamins. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9/10. It's a flavorful, hearty dish that's easy to prepare and budget-friendly, making it a great option for families looking for a satisfying and economical meal.
Is This Sauté Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This recipe has both healthy and unhealthy elements. On the positive side, it includes nutrient-dense ingredients like kale, white beans, and garlic. Kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants. White beans provide protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. Garlic has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
However, the recipe also contains some less healthy components. Italian sausage is often high in saturated fat and sodium, which can contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure when consumed in excess. The croutons, depending on the type of bread used and the amount of oil absorbed during cooking, may add extra calories and unhealthy fats to the dish. The use of red wine vinegar and Parmesan cheese, while adding flavor, can also increase the sodium content.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for a leaner protein source, such as chicken or turkey sausage, to reduce the saturated fat content
- Use whole grain bread for the croutons to increase the fiber content and provide more nutrients
- Reduce the amount of oil used in cooking the croutons and sausage, or use a healthier oil like avocado or coconut oil
- Increase the proportion of kale and white beans to boost the nutrient density of the dish
- Use low-sodium broth or water instead of red wine vinegar to reduce the sodium content
- Limit the amount of Parmesan cheese used, or opt for a lower-sodium alternative
Editor's Opinion: Thoughts on This Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté
This quick sauté recipe with sausage, kale, and croutons is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The sweet Italian sausages bring a savory richness, while the kale adds a lovely earthy note. The addition of croutons provides a satisfying crunch, and the red wine vinegar adds a nice tangy finish. Overall, this dish is a perfect balance of hearty and healthy, making it a great option for a quick and delicious meal.
Enhance Your Quick Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Try: Alternatives to This Quick Sauté
Appetizer and Dessert Ideas to Complement This Sauté Recipe
Why trust this Quick Sausage, Kale, and Crouton Sauté Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal. The sweet Italian sausages provide a rich and savory taste, complemented by the hearty white beans and vibrant kale leaves. The addition of red wine vinegar adds a delightful tang, while the croutons offer a satisfying crunch. With the perfect balance of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, this dish is both delicious and nutritious, making it a trustworthy and delightful addition to any meal rotation.
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