When cooking in a van or motorhome, ease and flavour are essential. This week we’re bringing you a delicious one-pan recipe: a rich sausage and bean stew  that’s ideal for quick vanlife lunches or light dinners. Made with minimal equipment, no oven, and perfect for cooking off-grid.

Meat-Based Recipe: One-Pan Sausage & Bean Stew

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Suitable for: One-hob van or motorhome cooking

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 good-quality sausages (Cumberland or Lincolnshire work well)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
400 grams chopped tomatoes (1 tin)
200 grams cannellini or haricot beans, drained
1 tablespoon tomato purée
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: splash of Worcestershire sauce, fresh parsley to garnish

Method

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or saucepan over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook for eight to ten minutes until browned all over. Remove briefly and slice if preferred. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for three minutes until soft. Return the sausages to the pan, add the smoked paprika, chopped tomatoes, drained beans and tomato purée. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for ten minutes until thickened. Season to taste and serve hot with crusty bread or cooked rice.

Why It Works for Vanlife Cooking

This dish is rich, filling, and only uses one pan. The ingredients are easy to store and work well with tinned staples. Sausages can be stored in a cool box or fridge, or use ambient-pack sausages for off-grid cooking.