Lately, one pot meals are on my radar. In my family, one of my favorite meals is Minestra, Italian comfort food. It’s a delicious and easy combo of sausage (and other pork products), greens, and beans. So, if you’re in a hurry, make it in a pressure cooker (I used an Instant Pot). But, you can also cook it all day in a slow cooker. For this version, I didn’t add very much liquid.
Minestra
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (if it doesn't have fennel, add a few fennel seeds)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3-4 cups cannellini beans, pre-soaked or canned (rinsed)
- 1 or 2 bunches greens (I used a combo of swiss chard and kale)
- 6 basil leaves
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Broth
- Grated parmesan or romano
Instructions
- Coat bottom of pan with oil. Cook and crumble sausage.
- When sausage is almost cooked, stir in onion.
- When onion is softened, stir in garlic. Cook for 3-5 more minutes.
- Stir in beans, greens, basil, salt and pepper, and broth. The amount of broth depends on if you want it more soup-like.
- Cover and cook. Instant pot takes 1/2 hour, slow cooker on low about 6 hours, stovetop 1-3 hrs.
- Serve alone, or on potatoes or short pasta. Top with grated cheese.
- Other additions: ham chunks, canned tomatoes with juice, chunks of potato, short pasta