Cassoulet with Sausage, Pork Shoulder, and Herb-Infused Beans

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional French cassoulet slow-cooked with pork shoulder, flavorful sausage, and white beans simmered in an herbaceous broth for deep, comforting flavor. This french-inspired french ready in about 200 minutes pairs dried navy beans, pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, French garlic sausage, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 670 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.2 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 French cuisine 670 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 1 lb dried navy beans in cold water overnight, then drain.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs pork shoulder cubes and brown for 8 minutes, turning to color all sides. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb sliced French garlic sausage to the pot and cook for 5 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 diced large onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks to the pot with 5 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 7 minutes until softened and aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes to deepen flavors.
  6. Step 6: Return pork shoulder and sausage to the pot. Add soaked beans, 5 cups chicken stock, 5 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Season with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  7. Step 7: Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to a 325°F oven. Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours until beans are tender and meat is falling apart.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven, discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Sprinkle 3/4 cup breadcrumbs evenly on top.
  9. Step 9: Place under broiler for 4-6 minutes until the crust is deeply browned and crackly.
  10. Step 10: Let rest 10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cassoulet with Sausage, Pork Shoulder, and Herb-Infused Beans take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cassoulet with Sausage, Pork Shoulder, and Herb-Infused Beans?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried navy beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cassoulet with Sausage, Pork Shoulder, and Herb-Infused Beans?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cassoulet with Sausage, Pork Shoulder, and Herb-Infused Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cassoulet with Sausage, Pork Shoulder, and Herb-Infused Beans?

French french like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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