This Ina Garten Cassoulet Recipe is hearty and rustic, which includes white beans and chicken thighs with sausage and pancetta. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Cassoulet Ingredients
- 1 pound dried white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), soaked overnight
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 pound smoked pork sausage, sliced
- 1/2 pound pancetta or bacon, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How To Make Ina Garten Cassoulet
- Cook the beans: Drain soaked beans. Simmer in chicken stock with bay leaf for 1 hour until tender. Discard bay leaf.
- Brown the meats: In a Dutch oven, season chicken, sear until golden, then set aside. Brown sausage, then pancetta, removing each but leaving fat in the pot.
- Cook vegetables: Sauté onion 3–4 minutes, then add garlic for 1 minute.
- Build sauce: Deglaze with white wine. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Assemble and simmer: Return chicken, sausage, pancetta, and beans to the pot. Cover and simmer 45 minutes.
- Prepare topping: Mix panko with melted butter. Sprinkle over cassoulet.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until topping is golden and crisp.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Recipe Tips
- Best beans for cassoulet: Cannellini or Great Northern hold their shape well.
- Can I skip soaking beans? You can, but soak for even cooking and less gas. Quick-soak by boiling for 2 minutes, then resting 1 hour.
- What wine works best? Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
- Can I make this ahead? Yes, assemble up to the breadcrumb topping and refrigerate. Add topping before baking.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit topping.
What To Serve With Cassoulet
This dish is filling on its own but pairs well with:
- Crusty French bread
- A light green salad
- Steamed asparagus
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- A glass of bold red wine (like Bordeaux or Côtes du Rhône)
How To Store Cassoulet
Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Ina Garten Cassoulet Nutrition Facts (per serving, estimated)
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and vary by ingredients used.
FAQs
Can I make cassoulet with duck instead of chicken?
Yes, duck confit is traditional in French cassoulet and adds richness.
How do I keep cassoulet from drying out?
Don’t skimp on broth—add extra stock while simmering if needed.
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, substitute 3 cans drained and rinsed white beans. Reduce simmering time to 20 minutes.
Do I need a Dutch oven?
It’s ideal for stovetop-to-oven cooking, but any oven-safe pot works.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Steakhouse Steaks
- Barefoot Contessa Crab Quiche Recipe
- Ina Garten Chicken Salad Curry Recipe
Ina Garten Cassoulet Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
minutes2
hours20
minutes520
kcalA rustic French-inspired stew with chicken, sausage, pancetta, and white beans, topped with golden buttery breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
-
1 lb dried white beans, soaked overnight
-
6 cups chicken stock
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4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
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1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced
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1/2 lb pancetta or bacon, diced
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1 onion, diced
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1/2 cup dry white wine
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1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
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1 bay leaf
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs
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2 tbsp butter, melted
-
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Directions
- Cook beans in chicken stock with bay leaf for 1 hour. Drain.
- Brown chicken, sausage, and pancetta in Dutch oven. Remove each after browning.
- Sauté onion and garlic. Deglaze with white wine. Stir in tomatoes, paste, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Return meats and beans. Cover and simmer 45 minutes.
- Mix panko with melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
