Cheesy Sausage and Bean Dip Instructions

This Cheesy Sausage Bean Dip is the perfect appetizer for any gathering! Combining zesty spicy sausage, sautéed onions, bell peppers, garlic, and spinach, along with cream cheese and white beans. Finished off with a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan cheese and paired with toasted bread or Frito corn chips!

Prepare to fall in love with this dip! Our family adores this Cheesy Sausage Bean Dip, featuring basic ingredients that truly deliver on flavor! This beloved appetizer is super filling thanks to the savory sausage and cannellini beans, while the sautéed vegetables and fresh herbs contribute to its savory and aromatic quality. It’s a staple I make for Thanksgiving and serve at every festive gathering. The vibrant red and green colors make it ideal for your Christmas menu, and we also enjoy serving this on game day!

Why You’ll Enjoy This

• Comfort food – this satisfying dip is brimming with rich, savory flavors, creamy cheese, and feels indulgent without being overly heavy.
• Nutritious ingredients – this dip features a mix of sautéed onions, red bell pepper, garlic, leafy spinach, fresh thyme, and white beans for a high-protein, flavor-rich dish.
• Popular choice – claiming this is the most loved appetizer I’ve ever made is an understatement. Everyone raves about this recipe, and it disappears in moments!
• Ideal holiday appetizer – while this is perfect for prepping in advance, the bright red and green colors make it great for your holiday spread! I suggest doubling the recipe for larger crowds as it goes quickly!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• spicy sausage – I prefer hot ground sausage for a bit of heat in this recipe, but you can substitute with sweet Italian sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground beef.
• onion – I utilized one large sweet onion, but any yellow, white onion, or even chopped shallots would work.
• red bell pepper – this brings a splash of color and sweetness to the dip. Jarred roasted red peppers can add even more flavor, or chopped tomatoes can be used as well.
• baby spinach – I opted for fresh baby spinach leaves, but thawed frozen spinach, arugula, or chopped kale can also be used.
• garlic – fresh chopped garlic or pre-minced garlic from a jar both work well.
• cheese – this dip combines cream cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Alternatives include mozzarella, shredded Asiago, fontina, or gruyere.
• cannellini beans – these beans contribute a hearty and creamy aspect to the dip. If cannellini beans aren’t available, Great Northern beans, pinto beans, or white chili beans make excellent substitutes.
• fresh thyme – provides a fresh, herby, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste with the other ingredients.

How to Prepare Sausage Bean Dip

1. Cook the sausage. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage and crumble it as it cooks. Continue until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
2. Sauté the vegetables. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper, cooking until softened, around 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and fresh thyme, cooking for another minute.
3. Add the remaining ingredients. Lower the heat to medium and incorporate the softened cream cheese, stirring until melted and mixed in. Add spinach and salt, stirring until wilted, then mix in cannellini beans until well combined.
4. Top with parmesan. Transfer the sausage mixture to a medium baking dish (or bake directly in the skillet) and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan. If preparing ahead, omit the parmesan and let the dip cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
5. Bake and enjoy. Place the dip in the oven and bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Serve with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or Frito corn chips.

Tips for the Best Sausage Bean Dip

• Soften the cream cheese – cold cream cheese can be difficult to blend, so I recommend taking it out of the fridge about 20 to 30 minutes prior to cooking to allow it to soften. Alternatively, cube the cream cheese to help it melt more quickly.
• Get a good brown on the sausage – I enjoy allowing the sausage to develop a nice brown color for caramelization and slightly crispy edges, which enhances the meatier flavor of the dip.
• Lightly mash some beans – this is optional, but for an even creamier dip, you can gently mash some of the cannellini beans with a spoon or spatula. This naturally thickens the dip and enriches the creamy texture without the need for additional cheese.
• Don’t skip the spinach – fresh spinach not only adds color, but also balances the richness of the sausage cheese dip. Chop it roughly before adding for even wilting and blending into each mouthful.

Preferred Dippers for Serving

• Toasted baguette slices
• Frito corn chips (my favorite!)
• Crackers or pita chips
• Red bell pepper strips and celery
• Tortilla chips

Variations

• Switch the protein – while my favorite is hot Italian sausage for an added flavor boost, sweet Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, chorizo, or ground turkey sausage work well too.
• Incorporate more vegetables – this dip is a fantastic way to sneak in additional veggies like corn, jalapeños for some heat, mushrooms, zucchini, or kale for additional texture.
• Try different cheeses – mixing in other types of cheese can alter the meltiness and boldness of this dip. Options include mozzarella, fontina, white cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyere.
• If you prefer a looser texture – feel free to add a splash of milk, cream, chicken broth, or white wine to achieve a creamier dip.
• Crunchy topping – adding a crispy topping can enhance texture, so consider sprinkling on panko breadcrumbs, crispy fried onions, or crushed Ritz crackers.

Preparation and Storage

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

More Dip Recipes

More Holiday Appetizers

I hope you all love this Cheesy Sausage Bean Dip recipe! If you enjoy it as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!