Victoria's Baked Cannellini Beans With Italian Sausage

Victoria's Baked Cannellini Beans With Italian Sausage      

This dish is so easy to make and is an excellent weeknight meal coupled with a tossed salad and a nice hunk of crusty bread.  This dish can be served as either a main dish or side dish. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Cooked Cannellini Beans (Cooked Dried or Canned)

1/4 Pound Diced Bacon

1 Pound Sweet Italian Sausage

1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Basil

2 Cups Tomato Sauce

2 Cups Chicken Broth

4 Cloves Minced Garlic

1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

3 Tablespoons Parsley

Preheat your oven to 350º F.  Drain the cannellini beans in a strainer, but do not rinse them.  Set aside.  In a medium size Dutch oven sauté the sausage, garlic and the bacon over a medium heat for 8 minutes or until well cooked.  Add the pepper, parsley, basil, tomato sauce, chicken broth and cannellini beans.  Give a good stir and put the lid on.  Bake for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Serves 4 as a main dish.