Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

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Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta is packed with flavor and combines savory Kielbasa sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy, cheese sauce.

cheesy kielbasa pasta served with asparagus.

One-Pan Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Recipe

Kielbasa is one of those handy proteins to keep on hand for an easy meal for those busy weeknights that the whole family will love. No defrosting is needed.

I keep a package of kielbasa in the fridge drawer and when I have no ideas for supper and it's hungry:30, I can whip up Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta or Cheesy Kielbasa Hash Brown Casserole if I'm in the mood for potatoes instead of pasta.

This one-pan kielbasa mac and cheese doesn't cook the noodles separately. Instead, a little bit of pasta water and milk is used to make the creamy sauce right in the pan.

I serve this with a quick veggie dish like Roasted Romaine or Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts. Or a go with a no-cook side dish by serving fresh veggies and Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip or a simple side salad.

Ingredients

Use any kind of smoked sausage you like. We are lucky to have a local butcher shop that makes their own that's delish. It's my favorite, but any run of the mill smoked sausage will work here.

Kielbasa, sliced - or other smoked sausage such as Polish sausage
Yellow Onion, diced -
Chicken Stock - or bouillon and water
Milk - I used whole milk
Rigatoni - or other smaller pasta such as penne pasta, rotini pasta, or bow tie pasta
Cream Cheese - I use full fat, but reduced or fat free will work
Cheddar Cheese, shredded - I like extra sharp cheddar cheese for the extra flavor
Green Onion, diced - Makes a nice pop of color and brightness
Black Pepper and Tony Chachere's Seasoning, to taste
Optional add-ins- colored bell peppers, canned green chiles, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, etc

See recipe card for quantities.

Directions

In a Dutch oven or large skillet, brown the sliced kielbasa until crispy on the edges.
Add the onions and cook until tender. Remove the kielbasa and onions from the pan and set aside.
Bring chicken broth and milk to a boil.
Add pasta and cook for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package indicates.
Add more liquid as needed.
Stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking.
When pasta is al dente, do NOT drain. Add cream cheese and cheddar cheese and stir until melted—season with black pepper and Tony Chachere's.
Stir in the cooked smoked sausage and top with green onions. Serve hot.

Hint: Add a splash of milk to the noodles as needed, for desired consistency.

browning the sliced kielbasa until crispy on the edges for easy cheesy kielbasa pasta.

Adding the milk to the broth for easy cheesy kielbasa pasta.

Substitutions & Variations

A delicious cheesy sausage pasta you can make lots of different ways to fit your preferences.

Sausage - instead of using Kielbasa, use any smoked sausage you like
Gluten-Free - use gluten-free pasta for a great main dish
Cheese - Mix up the cheese. Use pepper jack, gouda, or other flavorful cheese.
Veggie - Sneak some fresh spinach, peas, or other veggie into this pasta dish for a healthy one-pot meal
Spicy - Use spicy smoke sausage, add diced jalapeno in with the onion, or add dried chili flakes for a spicy pasta.
Kid Friendly - If your kids like hot dogs, use them in place of the Kielbasa for an inexpensive pasta dinner.

See this grown-up version of mac and cheese meets chicken alfredo! One Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Stove Top is one of my favorite pasta dishes.

Storage

Store in the fridge for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container.

Reheating Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta

Add a little bit of milk for best consistency and reheat on the stovetop over low heat or microwave for 1-2 minutes.

cheesy kielbasa pasta ready-to-eat with asparagus.

Top tip

Due to the limited cooking liquid, make sure to stir the pasta very frequently while cooking. This will prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

FAQ

What type of cheese pairs well with Kielbasa?

Sharp cheddar works well with kielbasa. The strong, creamy flavor compliments the smoky richness of the smoked sausage.

Is kielbasa healthy?

Kielbasa is a source of protein. To lower the amount of fat, choose a turkey kielbasa or chicken kielbasa.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

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Food safety

Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.