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Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans

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Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.

Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.
Pasta with Sausage, Escarole and Beans

Escarole and beans with sausage is a typical dish in Italian cuisine. Here I tossed it all with pasta, and loved the results! It turned out to be a winner with everyone in my home, even my picky kids. You can easily make it gluten-free and swap out the escarole for your favorite greens.

Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.

When I make pasta dishes, I try to incorporate lots of lean protein and loads of veggies to keep the dish balanced with large enough portions that will keep me satisfied. If you wanted to switch this up with grains, this would be great with farro or barley as well.

What is Escarole?

If you’ve had Italian Wedding Soup, then you’ve probably had escarole. It’s green and leafy, a mix between spinach, kale and lettuce usually sold in bunches that look a lot like a head of lettuce. When looking for it in the supermarket you can usually find it near the lettuce and collards.

Variations and Tips

  • Greens – any leafy green vegetable can be used here, if you can’t find escarole, kale or spinach will work fine.
  • Beans – any white bean would be great here, try navy or northern beans in place of cannellini beans.
  • Brands of chicken sausage – For the Italian chicken sausage, the two brands that taste best are Al Fresco’s uncooked Italian sweet chicken sausage or Premio Italian Chicken Sausage, look for sweet or hot.
  • Grains – If you prefer to skip the pasta, you can make this with whole grains like farro, so good!
Cooking onions in a potadding beans and escarole to a pot.Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.

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Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans

4.79 from 38 votes
7
Cals:332
Protein:22.5
Carbs:45
Fat:8.5
Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, white cannellini beans, crushed red pepper and grated cheese.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 10 oz pasta, wheat or gluten-free pasta
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 12 oz uncooked Italian chicken sausage, removed from casing (Al Fresco)
  • 1/2 cup fat free, low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (Eden)
  • 1 medium head, 7-8 cups escarole rinsed and torn into bite sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, or to taste (optional)
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse escarole and tear into bite sized pieces.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente in a large pot of salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup water before draining.
  • While pasta water boils, heat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat.
  • Add olive oil; when hot add onions, garlic, salt and pepper until soft, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon and cook until golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside in a dish.
  • Add chicken broth and beans to the skillet.
  • Add the escarole; stir and cook about 4 minutes or until wilted.
  • Gently stir in sausage, pasta, red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup of the reserved water or more if needed and grated Parmesan. Adjust salt and pepper if needed and toss well; transfer to a large serving bowl. Enjoy with some extra cheese on the side.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 1/2 cups, Calories: 332 kcal, Carbohydrates: 45 g, Protein: 22.5 g, Fat: 8.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2.5 g, Cholesterol: 61.5 mg, Sodium: 526 mg, Fiber: 8 g, Sugar: 1 g

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114 comments on “Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans”

  1. Made this but when done put in a baked spaghetti squash instead of using pasta. We loved it. I also had a green pepper wanted to use and added at same time as onion, and also steamed broccoli rabe that I added in instead of escarole. Liked the white beans added to this. This is a favorite. Loved it.

  2. We really enjoyed this. I’ll probably try it with a little lemon zest to lighten it up a bit next time, as well as some mushrooms.

  3. This was so delicious! It was easy to make too. My husband is eating the leftovers for lunch tomorrow and that hardly ever happens!

  4. This is such a winning combination!  Looking to lighten this up even more?  Skip the pasta and up the chicken stock and turn this into soup!  My soup recipe is almost identical to yours minus the pasta.  So good!  Thanks for all of the great recipes, Gina – your recipes have septs us eating healthy for years!

  5. I love this recipe except beans give me major digestive issues. Is there something I can substitute for these?

  6. Avatar photo
    Shelley Caplan

    I scaled this down to using one sausage for a single serving. and added mushrooms. IT made a very large portion and was delicious!

  7. I am super excited to try this tonight for dinner. I do have one quesiton, though: Do you know the total serviings this makes? trying to keep my tracking as close to real as possible. Thanks so much!

  8. Avatar photo
    Mary Paige Boyce

    I really wanted to make this on this rainy Sunday so I used what I had – subbed brussel sprouts for escarole and garbanzo beans for navy beans – worked great! Love!

  9. I’ve now made this five times – once with escarole; twice with spinach; twice with kale (prefer the latter). Also substituted northern beans once – just as good. This has become my go-to pasta dish! 

  10. Made this last night for my husband.  Had never used escarole before.  Got the escarole and Italian chicken sausage with Kale at the Fresh Market.  Followed the recipe exactly.  Pretty easy to make.  My husband said this one is a “Do again” – his highest praise for a new recipe!  Thank you.

  11. Avatar photo
    Suzanne Meyers

    Absolutely delicious!! I used spinach because I didn’t have escarole and mixed some hot Italian sausage with the chicken sausage. Easy, quick and scrumptious. My family loved it and even asked to make sure that I saved this recipe, the first time this has ever happened!

  12. This tastes super! I used spinach for the greens and had jalepeno sausage on hand which is probably what I will always use for this recipe going forward as it was so good. Yum!

  13. I made this last night and everyone loved it! I added some sun dried tomatoes for color but the flavor would have been great without adding anything extra. I think I’ll try adding roasted red peppers next time. We’ve found we really love Skinny Taste pasta recipes that use chicken sausage. Thanks Gina! 

  14. Avatar photo
    Dawn Daugherty

    This was amazing. Loved by all. I used hot Italian sausage and sweet Italian sausage. Since I had a very large leek that need to be used I used that instead of an onion.  I used 1lb pasta so I added extra broth and extra pasta water.  It was absolutely delicious.   We are huge lovers of Escarole. It was perfect. Thank you!

  15. You are saying, “You can easily make it gluten-free and swap out the escarole for your favorite greens.”
    I don’t think there is gluten in escarole. 

    1. Just meaning that you can sub GF pasta and if you can’t find (or don’t like) escarole, you can sub that too. 🙂

  16. This pasta is delicious and so easy. I’ve not been able to find escarole, but I have used both spinach and arugula. I really like it with the arugula.

  17. Made this tonight and my whole family loved it! Even my VERY picky 8 year old. She usually spots even the smallest onion but ate these without a problem. We make a lot of of your meals and they never disappoint! 

  18. Made this tonight. Used Fieldroast Italian Sausage and spring mix since that is what I had. We really liked it. It was light and flavorful.

  19. Avatar photo
    Nicole Noland

    I made with kale ( couldn’t find escarole and don’t like spinach)and cooked down without beans and 1 cup chicken broth for a total of 9 minutes. I added the beans later. I didn’t  use the reserved pasta water because it didn’t need it by then.  Also the chicken sausage I used wasn’t great, but otherwise is a great recipe. Wish I could find the brands Gina recommendations! I might make it with turkey sausage next time just because the brands my store carries seems better with turkey than chicken sausage. This is actually a base recipe I’ve used many times so you can really play with the ingredients 🤗

    1. Avatar photo
      Melinda Vaughn

      Gina, we love your recipes, but this recipe is one of our favorites! This is the second time we’ve made it, and both times my family raved about it. My husband and I are both on Weight Watchers, and your meals have been extremely helpful in helping us lose weight. I’m down 40 lbs as of Friday, yay! Our grocery store doesn’t carry very good chicken sausage, so I subbed hot Italian turkey sausage. It also doesn’t have escarole, so used spinach. This time, I also threw in a can of diced tomatoes for an extra kick, but it isn’t necessarily needed either.

  20. So good! Added half a lemons worth of zest and juice and it took it from good to omg. Even better the next day, which is a true test of pasta. 

  21. Avatar photo
    RAYLENE D PROUT

    I haven’t enjoyed lunch this much in a long time! I consider myself a pasta connoisseur, and I haven’t been eating it because of the high WW point value. Now that I’m on purple and can have whole wheat pasta without using too many points, I was trying to find a recipe that incorporated some of my favorite flavors. I love the richness of chicken sausage with the bitterness of greens and a sharp, briny cheese to finish. This checked all those boxes for me. I used power greens from Trader Joes, their whole wheat spaghetti and added 1/2 cup of their Bruschetta sauce. In addition to being delicious, it was super filling because of the added fiber from the Canellini beans. This will go in the rotation to make again and again. Thank you Gina!

  22. I made this week for my husband and I while my son was at soccer practice. We absolutely loved it and my son gobbled down all the leftovers when he got home!! Came together quickly and was very tasty! I followed the recipe exactly with exception of substituting spinach for escarole.
    LOVE your Meal Plans Gina! Thanks for all that you do!

  23. Made this tonight for my hubs and I. He LOVED it! And it was pretty quick to make. I’ll definitely make this again!

  24. This was easy and good (but not great, hence 4 stars). I used kale since the store didn’t have escarole. It was light on flavor like other reviewers mentioned.

  25. This recipe was very quick to put together and very tasty. I used spinach instead of escarole, and feel this recipe would be just as tasty using different flavors of sausage and various greens. Imagine adding sundried tomatoes.. Yum

  26. Avatar photo
    Bridget Falk

    One of my favorite restaurants has this as a dish and I get it from them all the time. I substitute the escarole for broccoli and skip the onions entirely.

  27. Not my favorite, but fine for a weeknight dinner. I added shiitake mushrooms and had to use spinach since the store didn’t have escarole. Lacked a little in flavor. 

  28. Super good! Couldn’t find chicken sausage or escarole so I subbed with pork italian sausage and spinach and it turned out amazing! Will definitely make this again.

  29. Hey there, long time reader first time question asker. If you substituted it for grains would the calories be the same? 10oz pasta for 10oz farro?

  30. Avatar photo
    Jenni Marshall

    Had high hopes for this recipe and wasn’t disappointed at all. Wasn’t able to make it exactly according to the recipe but it still turned out fantastic. Super flavorful AND healthy? For sure exceeded all expectations!

  31. Made this tonight and it was so quick, easy and delicious!! Wonderful recipe that I’m sure I’ll be making over and over. 

  32. Made this this evening for dinner.  It was very good.  I did substitute chicken thighs for the chicken sausage. Will make it again.

  33. Avatar photo
    Karen Nielson

    Finally escarole time at the farmers market so I can make this  yummy dish again.  This is one I make again and again.  Thanks Gina! 

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  38. Wow! This was surprisingly good. I was not expecting a ton of flavor in this dish. It’s definitely a nice change to saucy pastas. I used sweet italian pork sausage since I cannot find uncooked chicken sausage anywhere. If you do use pork sausage, I would recommend cooking the sausage halfway before adding the onion and garlic. I also subbed the escarole for spinach.

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  40. This is delicious. My entire family loves it. Made it exactly as is. Will add to our normal rotation. When I put the nutrition information in my Ww calaculator I got 8 smart points. Even better:)

  41. Gina, thanks for this delicious (and healthy) italian chicken sausage recipe. Try kale instead of the escarole.

  42. Gina, this recipe is so delicious. Everyone loves it and I make it especially for my mom. Another hit and I am so addicted to your recipes!!

  43. Thank you once again, Gina… Another delicious recipe! I made this tonight but substituted kale for the escarole since I had some in the fridge that needed used up. I have lost 43 pounds through Weight Watchers, and YOU have made this an incredible, delicious journey… Thank You!!!

  44. If I make this with Dreamfields pasta would my points change at all? Also, I am so so excited to have come across your web site. Your recipes sound and look so so delicious I can't wait to try them all! This will be my first to try!! I have a very picky 14 yr. old girl. Will let you know how it goes. Thank you again!!!

  45. This has become one of my favorite all time dishes! I make it at least once every couple of weeks. Just served it to some family who came to visit and they all raved. Thanks for such a great recipe!

  46. Avatar photo
    Laura Sudderth

    This is true comfort. I used kale. The entire combination was bursting with flavor because I used 3 tablespoons of hot pepper flakes…love it spicy.

  47. I've made this but with peppers instead of the beans. Tonight I'll try the beans and plan on adding some diced tomatoes as well!

  48. I LOVE this recipe and have made it many times!!! It's great that I can make it for my husband and he doesn't think its too "skinny" 😉

  49. Delish! I used kale and Trader Joes's chicken sausage. This was filling and tasted fresh. Love. Will definitely make again. In fact, I have been making a Skinnytaste recipe everyday for the last two weeks. I'm going to start reviewing them from now on. Comments from those who actually make the dish are so helpful!

  50. We had this for dinner tonight. I had to use Angel Hair pasta because I forgot to buy the other kind, but wow! What a lot of flavor in this dish! Even my husband enjoyed it and he's never had escarole or chicken sausage before! Wonderful…I'm so happy my daughter told me about this site! I'm actually having fun cooking!

  51. Just finished having this for dinner and it was EXCELLENT. I was worried that it would be bland without a "sauce",but it was full of flavor. I will be making this again for sure!

  52. I don't usually comment, but I made this last night and it was outstanding. Much better than i was even expecting. Probably one of my top pasta dishes I have made. My kids (ages 7, 5 and 2) all loved it to, though they did pick out the Kale (they don't like greens). The Kale substituted worked out great.

  53. We just finished this pasta dish. Definitely restaurant quality. Amazing. We're making your crab cakes AGAIN tomorrow and the new pulled pork the next day. We LOVE your recipes!! Where is the cooking show?? Should we start writing Food Network for you?

  54. This was great! I like my sauce a little on the thick side so I also added 1/4 cup white wine for more flavor and a tablespoon of flour, it created an amazingly delicous coating on the pasta that wasn't too runny! This is a great dish! my hubby loved it!

  55. I swapped out escarole fror spinach, and this dish was amazingly delicious and easy. AND it reheats well!

  56. Okay, so I have a silly question. I have been making your recipes for 2 years now and LOVE them ALL! But when it comes to the pasta recipes I get confused when you say 10 ounces or whatever it is supposed to be. When I measure pasta in my measuring cup it always seems to be way too little. How and when do you measure your pasta ounces? Is it before cooking or after and what do you use to measure? Thanks Gina. I want to make sure I get it right.

  57. Add a cup of the Filetto di Pomodoro towards the end. It makes an already great recipe a little better.

  58. I made this for dinner tonight. We used kale since it was available. Thanks for another good recipe.

    Kristina

  59. I made this tonight – so easy and so so so good. My husband loved it too! Thank you for your wonderful recipes!

  60. This was SO SO SO SO SO good. Amazing. Anytime I make a new dish from this site I am impressed and this one was exceptionally over the top tasty. As my husband always says, "Gina never lets us down!" Thanks Gina for another great recipe to add to my list of healthy options. BTW, I made this with that Fiber Gourmet pasta that is only 100 cal per 2 oz. and was able to up the portion size with the same great taste. Just wonderful!

  61. Made this tonight and it was delicious!!! Only problem is that I ate more than I was supposed to with Weight Watchers!! 🙂 I used Kale instead of Escarole which I couldn't find. Thank you…..I love this blog and so does my family!!

  62. If I get out the pasta and sausage would I only point for the oil? The points are 1 point per teaspoon right?

  63. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    If you can't find the sausage you can make your own, I have a recipe for it, here is the link: https://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/01/homemade-turkey-sausage.html

    Replace the escarole with any greens if it's not available near you.

  64. Avatar photo
    Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers

    Yum! What a beautiful looking pasta! I just love using chicken sausage, and I don't think you really notice a difference!! Great dish!!

  65. This will be dinner tonight! I was planning on making escarole bean soup so I already have the ingredients. Looks awesome!

  66. Hi there…sounds wonderful tho will have to sub 2 things…escarole is unheard of here so you think baby English spinach would work? also…we don't have low fat or for that matter any fat Italian chicken sausages…what would you recommend to use instead…definitely down the chicken path tho…i believe my kids would love this recipe…thanks…xxx

  67. I just discovered Al Fresco's cooked chicken sausage this weekend & enjoyed the country style for breakfast this morning….delicious! I will definitely be making this recipe soon. I made your Turkey White Bean Pumpkin chili last night & even my picky eaters enjoyed it! Love your site…thanks for all you do!

  68. Avatar photo
    Gina @ Skinnytaste

    Maria, yes broccoli rabe would be great!

    Tricia, sure, you can make this without the sausage and pasta.

  69. I made this tonight it was Fantastic! I have to admit I grabbed the wrong sausage I got Pork NOT chicken but made it anyway! Will be making again with chicken!

  70. Hi Gina if I wanted to make just escarole and beans do I just leav out all the other items and just use the remaining
    Thanks

  71. I used the al fresco Roasted Garlic cooked chicken sausage in your Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole, and Peppers dish last night. It was fantastic! I can't wait to use it in this recipe!

  72. I've done this before, but I add a bit of chicken broth and sage to make it more sauce like. You can also substitute the escarole with swiss chard or spinach and it is also delicious.

  73. Al Fresco's cooked sausages are awesome as well. Their chicken apple sausage is a breakfast favorite for me. And they frequently have coupons available on their website:)