If there’s one meal you can almost guarantee we’ll be eating on Halloween, it’s this Sausage Bean Stew!

Over the years, this has become one of our favorite family Halloween traditions. Before the costumes, trick-or-treating, and inevitable candy overload, I get a big batch of this hearty stew going in the slow cooker.

And honestly, I can’t think of a more perfect Halloween dinner.

It’s warm, comforting, packed with Italian sausage, ground turkey, beans, vegetables, and pasta, and best of all, it’s ready whenever everyone is hungry.

Some of us eat before heading out to trick-or-treat, and others come home ready for a big bowl after walking around the neighborhood. Either way, dinner is taken care of, and I’m not spending Halloween evening standing in the kitchen.

Because let’s be real, there’s already enough excitement (and sugar!) happening that night. Having an actual meal ready to go makes me feel a little better about all the candy that’s about to be consumed. 😂

This recipe originally appeared in our Stay Fit Mom Home Cooked Meals Cookbook (Volume 2), and it’s been a favorite ever since.

Of course, you don’t have to wait until Halloween to make it. This is one of those easy slow cooker dinners you’ll want on repeat all fall and winter long.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Bean Stew

• Perfect for busy evenings. Let the slow cooker do most of the work while you’re busy with everything else.
• A hearty, complete meal. Italian sausage, ground turkey, white beans, vegetables, and pasta all come together in one bowl.
• Great for feeding a family. This recipe makes 10 generous servings.
• Packed with flavor. Mild Italian sausage, garlic, fresh thyme, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a little balsamic vinegar make this stew anything but boring.
• 4g fiber per serving.
• Meal prep friendly. Leftovers make an easy lunch or dinner the next day.
• Flexible cooking options. Make it in your slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This stew uses simple ingredients that come together to make a really flavorful, comforting meal.

Mild Italian Sausage

Italian sausage is one of the stars of this recipe.

We use 19 ounces of mild Italian sausage links, which add tons of flavor without making the stew spicy.

The sausage cooks right in the slow cooker, soaking up the flavors of the broth, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

Once cooked, you’ll slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces and return it to the stew.

Lean Ground Turkey

We also use one pound of 93/7 lean ground turkey.

Combining ground turkey with Italian sausage is one of my favorite ways to add protein while still getting all that delicious sausage flavor.

If you already have lean ground beef on hand, you can substitute that instead.

White Navy Beans

One can of white navy beans adds a creamy texture, extra fiber, and makes the stew even more filling.

They pair perfectly with the sausage and tomatoes.

Vegetables

Onion, garlic, carrots, and celery give this stew plenty of flavor, color, and texture.

I love using my vegetable chopper for recipes like this because it makes prepping all those vegetables so much quicker.

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes

Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a slightly smoky, rich tomato flavor.

They help create a delicious broth without needing a long list of extra ingredients.

Chicken Broth

Four cups of chicken broth make the base of the stew.

As everything cooks together, the broth takes on all the flavors of the sausage, vegetables, and herbs.

Fresh Thyme

Fresh thyme is one of my favorite additions to this recipe.

It gives the stew that cozy, savory flavor that just tastes like fall.

You can use six sprigs of fresh thyme or substitute ½ teaspoon of dried thyme.

Pasta

We use just 4 ounces of uncooked pasta for the entire batch.

Small shells or ditalini work perfectly because they’re easy to scoop up with the beans, vegetables, and sausage.

I’ve even used fun pumpkin-shaped pasta around Halloween, which makes this recipe feel a little more festive!

Balsamic Vinegar & Fresh Parsley

Don’t skip these finishing ingredients!

A little balsamic vinegar brightens up the rich broth, while fresh parsley adds a pop of freshness.

They might seem like small additions, but they really bring everything together.

How to Make Sausage Bean Stew in the Slow Cooker

This is a mostly hands-off recipe, which is exactly what I want on a busy day.

Start by browning the ground turkey with the onion and garlic on the stovetop.

Transfer everything to your slow cooker, then add the carrots, celery, white beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and chicken broth.

Place the uncooked Italian sausage links on top, along with the thyme.

Cover and cook on Low for 7–8 hours, until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Toward the end of cooking, remove the thyme sprigs and sausage links. Slice the sausage and return it to the slow cooker with the uncooked pasta.

Let everything cook for another 20–30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.

Finish with the balsamic vinegar and fresh parsley.

And that’s it! A big pot of delicious Sausage Bean Stew, ready whenever your family is.

Can You Make Sausage Bean Stew in the Instant Pot?

Yes!

While the slow cooker is my favorite method, especially on Halloween, you can also make this recipe in an electric pressure cooker.

Use the sauté function to brown the ground turkey, onion, and garlic.

Add the vegetables, beans, tomatoes, broth, sausage links, and thyme.

Cook using the soup setting for approximately 20 minutes, following your pressure cooker’s instructions for safe pressure release.

Once the sausage is fully cooked, remove and slice it. Add it back to the pot with the pasta and use the sauté function to simmer until the noodles are tender.

Finish with the balsamic vinegar and parsley.

This is a great option when you want all the same flavors but don’t have time to let dinner cook all day.

Tips for the Best Sausage Bean Stew

Don’t add the pasta too early. Pasta cooks much faster than the other ingredients. Adding it toward the end keeps it from getting too soft or mushy.

Use your favorite small pasta. Ditalini and small shells are great options, but any similarly sized pasta should work.

Keep the sausage links whole while cooking. This makes them easy to remove and slice before serving.

Don’t skip the balsamic vinegar. Just two teaspoons add a nice balance to the savory sausage and rich broth.

Adjust the consistency. If your stew thickens more than you’d like, add a little extra chicken broth when reheating.

Make it festive for Halloween! Pumpkin-shaped pasta is such a fun little touch if you happen to find some.

What to Serve With Sausage Bean Stew

One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is that it’s already a complete meal.

You’ve got protein from the turkey and sausage, carbohydrates from the beans and pasta, and plenty of vegetables.

But if you want something on the side, here are a few ideas:

• Cornbread (My Greek yogurt recipe is so good!)
• Garlic bread
• A simple green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping

On Halloween, I usually keep things simple and let the stew be the main event.

Is Sausage Bean Stew Good for Meal Prep?

Absolutely!

This recipe makes 10 servings, so it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or having leftovers ready for the week.

The combination of meat, beans, pasta, and vegetables makes it a satisfying lunch or dinner that reheats easily.

You can portion the stew into individual containers once it has cooled and store them in the refrigerator.

One thing to keep in mind is that the pasta will continue absorbing some of the broth as it sits.

If you prefer a soupier consistency, just add a splash of chicken broth when reheating.

How to Store and Reheat Sausage Bean Stew

Store leftover stew in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, microwave individual servings until heated through, stirring halfway through if needed.

You can also reheat a larger batch in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Add a little extra broth or water if the stew has thickened in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Sausage Bean Stew?

Yes, although I recommend freezing it without the pasta for the best texture.

Pasta can become soft or mushy after freezing and thawing, especially when it’s sitting in broth.

If you know you’ll be freezing a portion of the stew, remove that portion before adding the pasta.

Allow it to cool, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.

When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat thoroughly, and add freshly cooked pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground beef instead of ground turkey?

Yes! Lean ground beef is an easy substitute for the ground turkey. Just keep in mind that the nutrition information may change depending on the fat content of the beef you use.

What kind of beans work best in Sausage Bean Stew?

We use white navy beans, but cannellini beans or Great Northern beans would also work well.

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Absolutely. Mild Italian sausage is our favorite, but you could experiment with chicken sausage or spicy Italian sausage if you prefer a little heat.

Can I make this stew ahead of time?

Yes! This stew is great for meal prep and reheats well. If making it several days ahead, you can cook and store the pasta separately to help maintain its texture.

What pasta is best for Sausage Bean Stew?

Small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells are ideal. They’re easy to eat with a spoon and fit perfectly with the other ingredients.

Can I make this recipe without pasta?

Yes. You can leave out the pasta for a lower-carbohydrate version or substitute additional vegetables. Just remember that any changes will affect the nutrition information.

Sausage Bean Stew Nutrition & Macros

This recipe makes 10 servings.

Each 300g serving contains:

• Calories: 289
• Protein: 19.7g
• Carbohydrates: 20.8g
• Fat: 13.4g

You can also find this recipe preloaded in MyFitnessPal and MacrosFirst by searching Stay Fit Mom Sausage Bean Stew.

A Fall Dinner Tradition Worth Keeping

Some of my favorite family traditions revolve around food, and this Sausage Bean Stew is definitely one of them.

It’s simple, comforting, easy to make, and perfect for a busy Halloween night.

Whether your family eats a bowl before heading out to trick-or-treat or comes home hungry after an evening of collecting candy, there’s something so nice about having a warm homemade meal waiting.

And even if Halloween isn’t on your calendar, this is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in your slow cooker rotation all fall and winter.

If you give this Sausage Bean Stew a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a rating and comment below, and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram when you make it.

Happy Halloween! 🎃

This recipe is from my Home Cooked Meals cookbook. Find many more macro calculated recipes in my books below!