Weeknight Beans on Toast

A hearty Italian-inspired dish featuring spiced sausage and white beans in a rich tomato sauce, served over garlic-buttered crusty bread. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

4 servings
35 min

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 package baby spinach
  • 2 cans white beans
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 roll crusty Italian sub roll
  • 1 oz Parmesan
  • 2 Tbsp parsley

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and press down on it with a heatproof rubber spatula to flatten slightly. Cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath, about 4 minutes. Turn sausage over and cook, undisturbed, until browned on the other side, about 3 minutes. Break up sausage into bite-size pieces with spatula. Add sliced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook, stirring, until garlic is beginning to get golden around the edges, about 1 minute. Carefully add tomatoes (beware of splatter!), then 2 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 cup water. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, 10-12 minutes. Mix in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add beans and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Taste ragù and season with more salt if needed.

    25 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, heat broiler. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in grated garlic and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and cook until fragrant and sizzling but garlic is not yet browned, about 30 seconds; remove from heat.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Arrange bread, cut side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until golden brown, about 1 minute. Remove from broiler and turn bread over. Brush untoasted sides of bread with garlic butter and broil until evenly golden brown on top, about 1 minute (keep watch; it will go fast).

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Divide toast among plates. Ladle a generous amount of ragù over and top with Parmesan and parsley.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Ragù can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat over medium-low.