Kielbasa Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Kielbasa Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Featuring smoky kielbasa sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and tender penne, it’s simple to prepare yet packed with deliciousness.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 fresh tomato, diced
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa slices and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are lightly browned.
3. Step 3: Add the butter, diced onion, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften. Then sprinkle in the onion powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes.
4. Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic and sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, stirring constantly.
5. Step 5: Add the diced tomato, then pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, adding the cheese a little at a time.
7. Step 7: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• You can substitute kielbasa with smoked sausage or chorizo for a different flavor profile.
• If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more chicken broth or reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
• For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle will work well in this recipe.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free pasta and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Kielbasa Pasta Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 87 reviews

This creamy Kielbasa Pasta combines smoky, flavorful kielbasa sausage with tender penne pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce loaded with sautéed onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this one-pan skillet meal is simple to prepare yet impressively satisfying.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 ounces penne pasta

Sausage and Vegetables

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 fresh tomato, diced

Sauce and Cheese

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
2. Brown kielbasa. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa slices and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are lightly browned and flavorful.
3. Sauté vegetables. Add the butter, diced onion, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the kielbasa. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften. Sprinkle in the onion powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring to combine.
4. Cook flour mixture. Stir in the minced garlic and sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to eliminate the raw flour taste and start thickening the base.
5. Simmer sauce. Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
6. Combine pasta and cheese. Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water back to the skillet with the sauce. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese in portions, allowing each addition to melt and create a smooth, creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Garnish and serve. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh torn basil leaves if desired, and serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

• Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
• You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor.
• For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
• Use freshly grated cheeses for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop adding a splash of cream or broth as needed.

Keywords: Kielbasa pasta, creamy sausage pasta, penne pasta recipes, one-pan pasta, kielbasa sausage dinner