Tuscan Salsicce e Fagioli – Sausage and Beans

This Tuscan sausage and white bean recipe combines Italian sausage, creamy cannellini beans, tomato, garlic and fresh herbs in one pot. It’s a simple, hearty dinner inspired by a meal I first had in Chianti and comes together with just a handful of ingredients.

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Our first year in Italy, we lived in Florence and traveled around Tuscany a good bit. We stumbled on quite a few lovely family-owned trattorias. I don’t even know the name of this one, but it was a raining, chilly day in Fall. I had lived in California most of my life and didn’t even experience seasons. This was in many ways a first Fall for me. Anyway, back to the trattoria, we were visiting Chianti and stopped at a small little place for lunch. I ordered the Salsicce e Fagioli, the sausage and beans. It sounded cozy and hearty but not too carb heavy.

My lunch came in a cast iron pot with a lid. As I raised the lid the steam and all the aromas came right up to greet me. It was exactly what I needed. The sausage had a hint of fennel and herbs and that delicious pop when you bite into it. The tomato sauce was thick and flavorful. The beans added a creamy layer. But, for me, the sage was the best part. The sage added such a beautiful rustic element that made me feel like this dish was made for Fall days.

This dish quickly went into weekly rotation. It is quick, easy, high protein and affordable. You probably already have these staple ingredients in your kitchen, so you don’t even have to shop.

This one is rustic, hearty, easy, cozy, delicious, one pot and quick. This recipe literally checks all my boxes for the perfect weekday dinner in Fall.

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Tuscan Salsicce e Fagioli – Sausage and Beans

Ingredients

1.5 lbs Italian sausage
2 cans of cannellini or other white bean
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 jar of tomato passata or puree
5 medium fresh sage leaves chopped
1 sprig of rosemary chopped or 1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add olive oil to the pan or Dutch oven, add sausage
Cook sausage until brown
Add fresh herbs and garlic for 2-3 minutes and is aromatic
Add tomato passata and salt and pepper
Add beans
Cover and simmer on low for about 30 minutes until sausage is thoroughly cooked

Notes

Serve with a nice Chianti Classico and crusty bread.

ENJOY!

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Watch the Recipe

See exactly how I make Salsicce e Fagioli at home. This simple Tuscan-inspired sausage and bean dish comes together in one pot with Italian sausage, cannellini beans, tomato and plenty of fresh herbs.

Tips for the Best Salsicce e Fagioli

This recipe is very forgiving, but a few simple things make it even better.

Brown the sausage well before adding the other ingredients. Those browned bits add a lot of flavor to the finished sauce.
Use good-quality Italian sausage since it's one of the main flavors in the dish.
Drain and rinse canned beans before adding them.
Fresh sage is worth using here if you can find it. Its earthy flavor works especially well with the sausage and tomato.
Keep the heat low once everything is combined so the sauce can thicken without catching on the bottom of the pot.
If the sauce gets thicker than you like, add a small splash of water or broth.

What to Serve with Tuscan Sausage and Beans

This is substantial enough to be dinner on its own, but there are plenty of easy ways to round out the meal.

A simple green salad or roasted vegetables work well alongside it. You can also spoon the sausage and beans over creamy polenta if you want something a little more substantial.

And definitely have something nearby to soak up that tomato sauce.

How to Store Salsicce e Fagioli

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. The beans will continue to absorb some of the sauce as they sit, so add a splash of water or broth if needed when reheating.

This is also a great recipe to make ahead because the flavors have even more time to come together.

More Italian Recipes You Will Love

Here are a few more recipes inspired by my time in Italy and our travels around the country:

Planning a Trip to Tuscany?

Tuscany was home during our first year in Italy, and it's still one of the regions we return to again and again.

If you're planning a trip, check out our guides to Florence, Cortona and the Tuscan countryside for more of our favorite places to eat, stay and explore.