Kielbasa Skillet Stew

This easy stew is made with kielbasa, but feel free to use a similar smoked sausage, whether spicy or mild. Use andouille or a favorite chicken sausage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 pounds fully cooked smoked sausage (Kielbasa)
2 cans (15 ounces each) great northern beans, undrained
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 can (4 ounces) chopped mild green chiles
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper, green or red
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove to paper towel to drain. In the bacon drippings, cook onion and sausage until the sausage is lightly browned and onion is tender; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Crumble bacon and sprinkle on top.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Adapted from Taste of Home Feb/Mar '95 issue.