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Kielbasa Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/kielbasa-pasta-recipe/