How to prepare

Heat the olive oil in a wide, heavy ovenproof casserole over medium heat. Add the sausages and brown on all sides for 8 to 10 minutes; they need not be cooked through yet. Transfer them to a plate.

Add the onion and carrot to the sausage fat. Season with the salt and pepper, then sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until the onion is soft and lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Pour in the tomatoes and hot stock, scraping the browned bits from the base. Stir in the mustard and bring the mixture to a steady simmer.

Tomato gravy simmering with onions, carrots, and rosemary in an ovenproof casserole

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Return the sausages to the casserole and spoon the sauce around them. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes, turning the sausages once, until the sauce has thickened and the sausages are nearly cooked.

Stir in the drained beans, cover again, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the beans are hot and tender. Check the thickest sausage with a thermometer; it must reach 74°C.

Finished sausage and bean casserole with browned sausages and creamy white beans

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Remove from the heat and stir in the cider vinegar. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper, then rest for 5 minutes so the sauce settles and lightly coats the beans.

Serve the casserole hot with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or a green vegetable, spooning plenty of tomato and bean sauce over each portion.

Why this recipe works

Searing the sausages builds a savory base, while beans and tomatoes create a substantial sauce. Mustard, rosemary, and cider vinegar balance the richness without making the casserole heavy.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool within two hours, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze cooled portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

How to reheat it

Reheat gently in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of water, stirring occasionally, until steaming hot throughout and the sausages reach 74°C in the center. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator first.