Quick & Healthy Weeknight Win: Easy Baked Bean, Sausage, and Kale Skillet for Busy Evenings
My family adores this Baked Bean, Sausage, and Kale Skillet – and I absolutely cherish how effortlessly it comes together, making it a perfect solution for even the most hectic weeknights! This delightful and satisfying recipe was proudly developed in partnership with Bush’s Beans, a brand we trust for quality and flavor.
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Finding Balance: My Journey Back to School and the Quest for Simple Dinners
First and foremost, I genuinely miss connecting with you all here on the blog! It feels like ages since my last post, which was actually weeks ago, and I can hardly believe how quickly this month has flown by. Life has been exceptionally hectic since I embarked on my new academic adventure last month. I’ve had to humbly admit to those closest to me – especially my ever-patient husband and children, who have witnessed my recent chaotic state – that taking two demanding science classes with labs (Anatomy & Physiology 2 and Chemistry I) in a single semester might not have been my most brilliant idea. (For those who might not know, I returned to school earlier this year with the ultimate goal of becoming a registered dietitian). I’m currently navigating a bit of a struggle to keep pace with the rigorous schoolwork, not to mention the steep learning curve (which I vastly underestimated) that accompanies a subject like chemistry – think complex scientific calculators, revisiting basic algebra and intricate math equations, and safely navigating a lab filled with test tubes, beakers, and various “stuff” (otherwise known as chemicals). Oh my, the sheer amount of math alone has been quite a challenge, proving just how rusty my brain has become in that department!
Deep breaths are my constant companion these days. All will indeed be okay. If there’s one profound lesson I’ve gleaned from being a student at my age ( 😉 ), it’s recognizing that my self-imposed expectations are often sky-high. As my wonderful friend Kristen wisely reminded me recently, it’s perfectly acceptable if I don’t achieve a perfect ‘A’. The real goal is simply to get through it, learning as much as possible along the way.
The Skillet Savior: Why This Baked Bean, Sausage, and Kale Recipe is a Family Favorite
Okay, enough about my academic adventures – let’s shift our focus to this incredible dinner. It was an absolute hit, and precisely what we needed during a chaotic week! You all know my deep affection for cooking with Bush’s Beans, but I must confess that I don’t always get super creative with Bush’s Baked Beans. My go-to method for enjoying them is usually as a classic side dish for barbecue. However, with my demanding schedule, I wanted to craft something different and distinct for dinner, something that offered more than just a side. Using Bush’s Baked Beans proved to be an ingenious shortcut, allowing me to quickly assemble a flavorful meal in a single skillet, complete with its own rich, built-in sauce. Of course, I absolutely had to incorporate some greens for that essential nutrient boost and vibrant color, so fresh kale was an obvious and perfect choice. To maintain a lighter profile for this hearty dish, I opted for a delicious smoked chicken-apple sausage (I regularly stock up on Aidells from Costco, they’re a family favorite!).
The Power of One-Pan Meals for Busy Lifestyles
In today’s fast-paced world, one-pan skillet meals are more than just a trend; they are a necessity for home cooks striving to put wholesome, delicious food on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. This Baked Bean, Sausage, and Kale Skillet embodies everything we love about these types of recipes: minimal cleanup, maximum flavor, and an incredibly straightforward cooking process. From prepping the ingredients to serving, the entire experience is designed for efficiency, leaving you more time to focus on family, hobbies, or simply relaxing after a long day.
Ingredients Spotlight: Crafting Flavor and Nutrition
This dish was a unanimous winner! My husband even commented that it brought back nostalgic memories of classic pork and beans – though I like to believe it’s a touch more sophisticated than that. Regardless, the most important thing is that everyone at the table absolutely loved it. The secret to its success lies in the harmonious blend of simple, high-quality ingredients:
- Bush’s Baked Beans (Brown Sugar Hickory): These are truly the star of the show, providing a rich, sweet, and smoky base that doubles as a built-in sauce. Their ready-to-use nature cuts down on cooking time significantly, infusing the entire dish with a depth of flavor that would otherwise take hours to achieve.
- Smoked Chicken-Apple Sausage: This choice keeps the meal lighter while adding a fantastic savory and slightly sweet element. The pre-cooked nature of smoked sausage means less raw meat handling and quicker browning in the pan, perfect for a fast dinner.
- Fresh Kale: A nutritional powerhouse! Kale not only adds a beautiful vibrant green color but also a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It wilts down beautifully into the dish, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the beans and sausage.
- Onion & Smoked Paprika: These aromatics and spices build the foundational layers of flavor. The onion provides a sweet and pungent depth, while smoked paprika enhances the overall smoky profile, tying all the components together.
I served this hearty skillet meal over fluffy brown rice. Preparing the rice in my rice cooker beforehand, allowing me to simply reheat it at dinner time, kept the total active cook time for this Baked Bean, Sausage, and Kale Skillet to a mere 35 minutes. This kind of meal planning is exactly what allows me to manage my busy academic schedule without sacrificing healthy, homemade dinners for my family.
Customizing Your Skillet: Tips and Variations
While this recipe is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy customizations to suit your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand:
- Protein Swaps: Not a fan of chicken-apple sausage? Feel free to substitute with smoked pork sausage, turkey sausage, or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option. Ground chicken or turkey could also work, just ensure it’s fully cooked and browned before adding other ingredients.
- Greens Alternatives: If kale isn’t your favorite, spinach or Swiss chard would make excellent substitutes. They both wilt quickly and absorb flavors beautifully.
- Add More Veggies: This skillet would be fantastic with diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for extra color!), chopped carrots, or even some corn kernels stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can be added to the skillet.
- Serving Suggestions: While brown rice is a healthy and satisfying base, this skillet also pairs wonderfully with quinoa, couscous, or even a side of crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice.
The beauty of this Baked Bean, Sausage, and Kale Skillet lies in its adaptability, making it a truly flexible and reliable recipe for any weeknight.
Talk to you soon! Enjoy this fantastic recipe!
Baked Bean, Sausage and Kale Skillet
Author: Aggie’s Kitchen
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Category: Chicken
Method: Stovetop
My family loves this Baked Bean, Sausage and Kale Skillet – I love how easy it is to cook up on a busy weeknight! This recipe was created in partnership with Bush’s Beans, offering a wholesome and delicious meal solution for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or preferred cooking oil
- 1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 5 smoked chicken-apple sausage links, sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, for extra depth of flavor
- 6 cups fresh kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
- 1 28 oz can Bush’s Baked Beans (Brown Sugar Hickory variety recommended for best flavor)
Instructions
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
- Add the sliced sausage and the 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the skillet. Brown the sausage for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it develops a nice color.
- Add the chopped kale to the skillet. Cover the skillet and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, or until the kale has completely wilted down and is tender.
- Pour the entire can of Bush’s Baked Beans into the skillet. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. Simmer over low to medium heat for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and ensuring the beans are completely warmed through.
- Serve this hearty Baked Bean, Sausage and Kale Skillet immediately over a bed of fluffy brown rice, or your favorite grain. Enjoy!
Disclosure: I received compensation and product for creating this delicious recipe for Bush’s Beans. I have proudly been in partnership with Bush’s Beans for over 5 years, and truly enjoy incorporating their high-quality products into my family’s meals. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make Aggie’s Kitchen possible!
More Easy Skillet Meal Ideas You’ll Love:
If you’re as big a fan of quick and flavorful skillet meals as we are, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes:
Skillet Italian Sausage and Peppers with Potatoes – A classic combination that’s hearty and satisfying.
Skillet Balsamic Chicken with Sweet Peppers and Zucchini – Light, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Ground Turkey Stir Fry with Green Beans and Kale | Cookin’ Canuck – Another great way to incorporate healthy greens and lean protein.
Skillet Lemon Chicken with Olives and Herbs | Skinnytaste – A vibrant and aromatic dish perfect for a lighter dinner.
Don’t forget to follow my Bean Love {Anything and Everything Bean} Pinterest Board for even more bean-inspired recipes and culinary adventures!