Coon Rapids Dam Mississippi River White Bean and Smoked Sausage Stew
Hearty white bean stew with smoked sausage and river valley herbs, evoking the rustic charm of the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. This american-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs canned white beans, drained and rinsed, medium yellow onion, diced, celery stalks, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 12 oz smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 2 cups canned white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 large diced carrot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and edges begin to brown.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 12 oz sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Cook for another 4 minutes until sausage browns and garlic becomes fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups drained and rinsed canned white beans, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes until flavors meld and stew thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread for a filling meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coon Rapids Dam Mississippi River White Bean and Smoked Sausage Stew take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Coon Rapids Dam Mississippi River White Bean and Smoked Sausage Stew?
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 medium yellow onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coon Rapids Dam Mississippi River White Bean and Smoked Sausage Stew?
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 Coon Rapids Dam Mississippi River White Bean and Smoked Sausage Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Coon Rapids Dam Mississippi River White Bean and Smoked Sausage Stew?
American soups 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.
