Smoky walnut sun dried tomato sausagey pasta sauce with white beans is a simple, one-pan 30 Minute recipe that comes together really quickly with everyday ingredients. Instead of adding pasta or gnocchi to this umami rich sauce, we add beans to it, for a protein-packed Smoky Bean Stew. Gluten-free

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: dinner, Main, Main Course, One Pot meal
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped mushrooms ((white, cremini, portabella or oyster))
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts ((or use a mix of pepitas and hemp seeds for nutfree))
  • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup chopped tomato
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy cream (or non-dairy sour cream or non-dairy yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup vegan cheese (such as a mix of mozzarella and parmesan or just parmesan)
  • 1 cup water or stock (or more, if needed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 15 ounce can cannellini beans (or other white beans, or butter beans, chickpeas, or kidney beans or 1.5 cups cooked beans)
  • 3 tablespoons chopped sun dried tomato
  • 1 packed cup chopped fresh spinach (or 1/2 cup frozen spinach)
  • fresh herbs (like basil or parsley, more vegan parmesan, and pepper flakes, for garnish)

Method

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic and the 1/8 teaspoon salt. Mix and cook until the onion is translucent. Add splashes of water to help the onion cook evenly, 5 to 6 minutes. Then, add in the mushrooms, walnuts, fennel seeds, herbs, and tomato paste, mixing well. Add splashes of the water to help the tomato paste mix in. Continue to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture is drying out a little bit, and the mushrooms are cooked. This walnut mushroom mixture is your umami filled vegan sausage-y crumble.
  2. Add the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Then, add in the vegan cream, cheese, salt, and the rest of the water, and mix well. Bring to a boil, then mix in the beans. Mix in the sun dried tomato and spinach, cover with the lid, and let it simmer for 5 minutes or so.
  3. Open the lid, then adjust the consistency, adding more water if you want it saucier. Taste and adjust salt and flavor, then switch off the heat. Top with the fresh herbs, vegan parmesan, and pepper flakes. Serve with sourdough or garlic bread or over pasta or a baked potato.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.