Description
These Sausage Fennel Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Butter Beans combine savory sausage seasoned with fennel seeds, tender meatballs seared to perfection, and a luscious creamy tomato sauce loaded with buttery white beans. This comforting skillet dish offers a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for cozy dinners, accented by fresh herbs and served with crusty bread or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage Meatballs
- 500 grams sausage meat
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (divided)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 400 grams (1 can) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 cans (400g each) butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Optional pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare skillet and accompaniments: Set a large skillet over medium heat. If serving with rice or bread, begin preparing those now so everything is ready together.
- Make meatball mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine sausage meat, crushed fennel seeds, 2 minced garlic cloves, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined, then form into 12 to 14 small meatballs.
- Sear meatballs: Heat olive oil in the skillet. Once hot, add meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.
- Create tomato base: In the same pan, add the remaining minced garlic and tomato paste. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Simmer meatballs and beans: Return the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and let them simmer gently in the sauce for 15 minutes. Then stir in the butter beans and cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Finish with cream and herbs: Remove skillet from heat and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste. Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the top.
- Serve: Spoon the meatballs and creamy tomato butter bean sauce into bowls and enjoy with crusty bread or rice for a hearty and comforting meal.
Notes
- Fennel seeds add a subtle anise flavor but can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
- Use lean sausage meat to reduce grease in the sauce.
- Butter beans can be swapped with cannellini or great northern beans if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and freeze well for up to 2 months.
