Montana Mountain Casserole–this hearty bean and meat cassoulet combines smoky bacon, savory sausage, tender bites of pork, juicy chicken thighs, and aromatic herbs for a flavor-packed meal made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker.
Montana Mountain Casserole
Today’s recipe is a meaty dish that is comfort in a bowl. With bacon, sausage, pork and chicken there is meat in every bite. My boys took this down to china town. They loved it. The herbs and sausage flavor everything so nicely. Make it fast in the Instant Pot or let it simmer for hours in the slow cooker. (This recipe is adapted from Mountain Cassoulet on The Taste of Montana.)
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Bacon
- Smoked sausage–I used beef smoked sausage
- Onion
- Celery
- Garlic
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon chicken base
- Pork stew meat–I cut up pork carnitas meat into cubes
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Cannellini beans–or great northern beans
- Carrots
- Bay leaf
- Ground thyme
- Crushed rosemary
- Dried oregano
- Marjoram
- Dried basil
- Dried tarragon
- Fennel
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the bacon and cook until crispy.
Add in the smoked sausage and brown it in the bacon grease for 2-3 minutes. Add in the onion and celery and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Stir in the pork, chicken, beans, carrots, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, basil, tarragon, fennel, salt and pepper.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 7 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Discard the bay leaf.
Ladle into bowls and serve.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with a crusty baguette or cornbread and a side salad.
- This recipe is gluten free and dairy free.
- If you have Herbes de Provence it makes a great substitute for all the herbs/spices. I didn’t have it and couldn’t find it at the store so I went with the array of seasonings in my cabinet.
- Try adding in some chopped kale for more color and nutrition.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with boneless chicken thighs are Sierra’s Casserole and Brokenhearted Chicken.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Montana Mountain Casserole
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This hearty bean and meat cassoulet combines smoky bacon, savory sausage, tender bites of pork, juicy chicken thighs, and aromatic herbs for a flavor-packed meal made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 strips of bacon, chopped
- 1 (12 oz) package smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 rib celery, sliced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 16 oz pork stew meat
- 16 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into chunks
- 2 (15.5 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp ground thyme
- 1 tsp crushed rosemary
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp marjoram
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
- 1/2 tsp fennel
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the bacon and cook until crispy. Add in the smoked sausage and brown it in the bacon grease for 2-3 minutes. Add in the onion and celery and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Stir in the pork, chicken, beans, carrots, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, basil, tarragon, fennel, salt and pepper.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 7 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Discard the bay leaf. Ladle into bowls and serve.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the bacon and cook until crispy. Add in the smoked sausage and brown it in the bacon grease for 2-3 minutes. Add in the onion and celery and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the broth, pork, chicken, beans, carrots, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, basil, tarragon, fennel, salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Discard the bay leaf. Ladle into bowls and serve.
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
More recipes with beans…
New Year’s Good Fortune Soup
A super flavorful soup with black eyed peas, ham and collard greens that can be made in the Instant Pot or Crockpot. A perfect way to ring in the new year.
Western Wedding Casserole
A one-pot Instant Pot dish featuring seasoned ground pork, chili beans, rice, and Rotel with melty cheddar on top.
4th of July Casserole
A tasty slow cooker side dish for a holiday barbecue with bacon, ground beef, beans and barbecue sauce.
Annie’s Casserole
A mashup of spaghetti, pork and beans, and seasoned ground beef, this easy Instant Pot dinner is savory, saucy, and ready in minutes.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
This is delicious and was loved by the whole extended family! I doubled it and cooked it in my 8qt.
Thanks Louise for the 5 stars!
Karen, this recipe sounds very hearty! I love the big chunks. I would like to double the recipe. Will a double recipe fit in my 6-quart Instant Pot? Should I do the browning step in a wok or large skillet or a saucepan? You continue to amaze me with the variety in the recipes you send us. Thank you for your hard work!
Yes it will fit in a 6 quart. And I bet browning would be easier on the stovetop!
Ooooooh! My carnivorous cave man is gonna love this one! Got one question. You said we could sub Herbs de Provence for the other herbs you have listed. How much Herbs de Provence would I use in place of all the others? Thanks. I will be back with stars.
I would start with a tablespoon and if you want to add more at the end you can.
Thanks, will do that & let you know how it goes.