Beans on Toast

This recipe will make more ragù than you need, but the leftovers can be repurposed as a quick topper for pasta on another night. Nothing beats the convenience of a bag of spinach, but any green will work here. Try mustard greens, kale, or collard greens.

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
5 cloves garlic, 3 thinly sliced, 2 finely grated
½ tsp. dried oregano
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
3 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more
1 (5 oz) pkg baby spinach, coarsely chopped
2 (15.5 oz) cans white beans, rinsed
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 (12") crusty Italian sub roll, cut in half crosswise, split lengthwise, or 2 ciabatta rolls, split lengthwise
1 oz Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, finely grated

Garnish:
chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and press down on it with a heatproof rubber spatula to flatten slightly. Cook, undisturbed, until browned underneath, about 4 minutes. Turn sausage over and cook, undisturbed, until browned on the other side, about 3 minutes. Break up sausage into bite-size pieces with spatula. Add sliced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook, stirring, until garlic is beginning to get golden around the edges, about 1 minute. Carefully add tomatoes (beware of splatter!), then 2½ tsp. salt and 1 cup water. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, 10–12 minutes. Mix in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add beans and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Taste ragù and season with more salt if needed.

Meanwhile, heat broiler. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in grated garlic and remaining ½ tsp. salt and cook until fragrant and sizzling but garlic is not yet browned, about 30 seconds; remove from heat.

Arrange bread, cut side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until golden brown, about 1 minute. Remove from broiler and turn bread over. Brush untoasted sides of bread with garlic butter and broil until evenly golden brown on top, about 1 minute (keep watch; it will go fast).

Divide toast among plates. Ladle a generous amount of ragù over and top with Parmesan and parsley.

Makes 4 servings.

Do Ahead:  Ragù can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat over medium-low.