Smoky Sausage White Bean Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings

Warm, hearty, and packed with rich smoky flavor, this Smoky Sausage White Bean Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings. This one-pot recipe combines tender smoked sausage, creamy white beans, and a medley of aromatic vegetables in a flavorful broth, all simmered to perfection. The real star, however, is the fluffy, Southern-inspired cornmeal dumplings that cook directly on top of the bubbling stew, soaking up all its savory goodness. Infused with smoked paprika and thyme, every bite is a delightfully balanced mix of smoky, savory, and herby flavors. With just 20 minutes of prep and an easy simmer, this soul-warming stew is perfect for cozy family dinners or meal-prep for the week. Don't forget a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright, herbaceous finish!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 2 medium celery stalk, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 15-ounce cans canned white beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups fine cornmeal
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons salt (for dumplings)
• 0.5 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.

Step 2

2. In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3

3. Return the sausage to the pot and add the drained white beans, chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and the bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4

4. Season the stew with salt and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently while you prepare the dumplings.

Step 5

5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, fine cornmeal, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a separate small bowl, combine the milk and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (do not overmix).

Step 6

6. Remove the lid from the pot and discard the bay leaf. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling batter (about 1 tablespoon each) over the surface of the simmering stew, leaving some space between them. Cover the pot tightly and let the dumplings cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Step 7

7. After 15 minutes, check the dumplings—they should be puffed up and cooked through. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning, if needed.

Step 8

8. Serve the stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3453.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3288.8

Total Fat 168.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.1g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 9148.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 319.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 65.1g	0%
Total Sugars 44.9g
Protein 125.9g	0%

Vitamin D 53.7IU	0%
Calcium 1063.9mg	0%
Iron 33.5mg	0%
Potassium 6829.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.0%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 38.7%