College Station-Inspired Smoked Sausage and Pinto Bean Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-04 · Updated 2026-08-04

Hearty stew combining smoky sausage and creamy pinto beans with bold southwestern spices, inspired by Texas regional flavors. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs smoked sausage links, pinto beans, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sliced into 1/2-inch pieces smoked sausage links
• 2 cups cooked pinto beans
• 1 medium diced yellow onion
• 1 diced green bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 diced green bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp chili powder; cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned on edges.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, and 2 cups cooked pinto beans; season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Bring stew to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until flavors meld and stew thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm with crusty bread or rice.