Cassoulet-Style Italian Sausages and White Beans {+Giveaway}

Last month, I received a copy of {New York Times best-selling author} Pam Anderson's Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-Togethers. From the moment I received the book I could not put it down. I literally read this cookbook cover-to-cover, which is rare for me to do! I love how she has divided this cookbook into four sections; Stews for All Seasons, Worldly Casseroles, Roasting Pan Complete, and Big Summer Salads and Grilled Platters. Not only does Pam include some amazing recipes for her "one-dish" meals, but she also includes easy appetizers, salads, sides, and dessert recipes that compliment each one-dish. My first recipe "sub-set" (as I like to call it) that I chose to cook turned out wonderfully. I'm so excited to start cooking and hosting from this book! It's a great "go-to" book when you know your going to entertain! I decided to make this dish on a particular evening after a long day in the office. After reading the directions I knew this would be an easy and satisfying meal to cook up for my husband and parents. Some-times a one-dish meal can lack flavors, but this dish was the opposite! The hearty stew can satisfy any appetite, and the leftover's were even more fabulous the next day!  I made the recipe set for this entree, and will feature the rest of the recipes this week. 


Side note: I used the most amazing balsamic vinegar for this recipe. My in-laws had just returned from Italy, and brought me back a 15 year aged balsamic. It was sweet and flavorful--I could honestly drink it! I can honestly say it is the most amazing balsamic I've ever tasted; however, if you don't have a fancy balsamic vinegar flown in directly from Italy you can use any balsamic vinegar you have on hand! 



Pam's publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has graciously given me an extra copy of the book to giveaway to one of my followers.  One winner will be chosen at random to win one copy of Pam Anderson's Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-Togethers. This contest ends next Wednesday, December 8th a 11:59 pm. I will announce the winner on Thursday, December 9th. 

In order to qualify for this giveaway you must answer the question by leaving a comment below: 

What is your favorite one-dish meal? 

Source: Perfect One-Dish Dinners

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 55 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 lbs sweet Italian Sausage links
• 3 pints cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, cut into 1-1/2 inch chuncks
• 4 large garlic cloves, sliced
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1-1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 cans white beans, undrained
• salt & pepper to taste
• Loaf of crusty bread
• 2 tbsp butter
• *freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions: 

1. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 425 degrees. 

2. Mix sausages, tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, thyme, bay leaves, and a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper in a large heavy roasting pan. Set the pan in the oven and roast until sausages are brown and tomatoes have reduced to a thick sauce, about 45 minutes. *I covered the dish for the first 20 minutes, and then left uncovered for the remaining 25 minutes. 

3. While dinner is cooking toss half a loaf of bread in a food processor and pulse until bread crumbs. Toss the fresh bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter and a sprinkle of salt. Add the crumbs to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. 

4. Remove the casserole dish from the oven, stir in beans, and continue to roast until casserole has heated through, about 10 minutes longer. Fish out bay leaves, plate, top with bread crumbs, parmesan, and enjoy!