Cheesy Sausage and Bean Dip Instructions

This Cheesy Sausage Bean Dip is the perfect appetizer for parties! Prepared with zesty sausage, sautéed garlic, onions, bell peppers, and spinach, complemented by cream cheese and white beans. Finished with freshly grated parmesan cheese and accompanied by toasted bread or Frito corn chips!

Prepare to fall in love with this dip! Our family adores this Cheesy Sausage Bean Dip, which features basic ingredients while delivering a burst of flavor! This hearty appetizer is incredibly filling thanks to the savory sausage and cannellini beans, while the sautéed vegetables and fresh herbs contribute an aromatic savoriness. I make this every Thanksgiving and serve it at every holiday celebration. The red and green colors make it ideal for your Christmas menu, and we also enjoy it on game day!

Why You’ll Love This

• Comfort food – this rich dip is filled with bold, savory flavors, smooth creamy cheese, and is indulgent without being too heavy.
• Wholesome ingredients – this dip is crafted with sautéed onions, red bell pepper, garlic, fresh spinach, thyme, and white beans for a nutritious, protein-rich treat.
• Crowd favorite – calling this the most well-received appetizer I’ve ever made is an understatement. Everyone loves this recipe, and it vanishes in no time!
• Perfect holiday appetizer – not only is this a fantastic recipe to prepare ahead of time, but the bright red and green colors make it perfect for your holiday spread! I suggest doubling the recipe for larger gatherings as it disappears quickly!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• hot sausage – I prefer spicy ground sausage for a bit of heat, but feel free to use sweet Italian sausage, ground turkey sausage, ground chicken, or beef.
• onion – I utilized one large sweet onion, but yellow onion, white onion, or even chopped shallots can work as well.
• red bell pepper – this contributes a splash of color and sweetness to the dip. Jarred roasted red peppers can also enhance the flavor, or you could use chopped tomatoes.
• baby spinach – I opted for fresh baby spinach leaves, but thawed frozen spinach, arugula, or chopped kale would also be good alternatives.
• garlic – fresh chopped garlic or minced garlic from a jar can be used.
• cheese – a mix of cream cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese is included in this dip. You can also consider using mozzarella, shredded Asiago, fontina, or gruyere.
• cannellini beans – adds substance and extra creaminess to the dip. If you don’t have cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, pinto beans, or white chili beans are excellent substitutes.
• fresh thyme – brings a fresh herby, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.

How to Make Sausage Bean Dip

1. Brown the sausage. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage, breaking it into bits. Cook until browned and no longer pink, then drain the grease.
2. Sauté the veggies. Incorporate the chopped onion and red bell pepper, cooking until soft, around 4 to 5 minutes. Mix in the garlic and fresh thyme, cooking for an additional minute.
3. Add in everything else. Slightly reduce the heat to medium and stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and combined. Add the spinach and salt, stirring until the spinach wilt, then mix in the cannellini beans until everything is well blended.
4. Sprinkle parmesan. Transfer the sausage mixture to a medium baking dish (or bake in the skillet) and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. If making ahead, skip the parmesan and let the dip cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
5. Bake and serve. Bake the sausage dip in the oven at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Serve alongside toasted baguette slices, crackers, or Frito corn chips.

Tips for the Best Sausage Bean Dip

• Soften the cream cheese – cold cream cheese is difficult to blend, so I prefer to take it out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before cooking to let it soften. Alternatively, you can cube the cream cheese for quicker melting.
• Browning the sausage – I ensure the sausage is well-browned for caramelization and slightly crispy edges, giving the dip a deeper, meatier flavor.
• Mash a few beans – if you want an even creamier dip, you can lightly mash some of the cannellini beans with your spoon or spatula. This naturally thickens the dip while enhancing the creamy texture without needing extra cheese.
• Don’t skip the spinach – fresh spinach not only adds color but also offsets the richness of the sausage cheese dip. Chop it roughly before adding to ensure even wilting and blending in each bite.

Favorite Dippers for Serving

• Toasted baguette slices
• Frito corn chips (my ultimate favorite!)
• Crackers or pita chips
• Strips of red bell pepper and celery
• Tortilla chips

Variations

• Change up the protein – while I enjoy hot Italian sausage for its flavor, feel free to substitute with sweet Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, chorizo, or ground turkey.
• Add more veggies – this dip is an excellent way to incorporate extra vegetables, such as corn, spicy jalapeños, mushrooms, zucchini, and kale for added texture.
• Different cheeses – adding other cheeses can greatly alter the meltiness or boldness of this dip. Consider mozzarella, fontina, white cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyere.
• For a looser texture – you can mix in a splash of milk, cream, chicken broth, or white wine for a creamier, less thick consistency.
• Crispy topping – to add great texture, try sprinkling panko breadcrumbs, crispy fried onions, or crushed Ritz crackers on top.

Prepping and Storage

• Make Ahead – prepare the dip as directed but omit the parmesan topping. Allow it to cool, then cover and chill for up to a day. When ready to bake, take it out 15-20 minutes beforehand (or add 8 to 10 extra minutes of baking time) and top with parmesan before baking.
• To Store – leftovers can be kept in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave or warmed in the oven at 300 degrees F for a few minutes in an oven-safe dish.

More Dip Recipes

More Holiday Appetizers

Hope you enjoy this Cheesy Sausage Bean Dip recipe! If it pleases you as much as it does us, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!