Description
This is the kind of comfort food that hugs your soul — smoky kielbasa slices pan-seared to perfection, tossed with tender pasta in a rich, ultra-cheesy cream sauce. It’s fast, budget-friendly, and doesn’t skimp on flavor. Basically, it’s what happens when mac and cheese grows up and meets a good Polish sausage. You only need one skillet and about 30 minutes. Yes, really.
Ingredients
• 12 oz kielbasa (smoked sausage), sliced into coins
• 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, shells — whatever you love)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (or half-and-half if you’re feeling fancy)
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but highly recommended)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional but adds depth)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Brown the sausage.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil or butter and add the kielbasa slices. Cook until browned and caramelized around the edges, about 4–5 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.Sauté the flavor base.
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Cook for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.Build the sauce.
Pour in the chicken broth and milk, then stir in the uncooked pasta. Bring it all to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the liquid has mostly absorbed.Get cheesy.
Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella. Add the smoked paprika, Dijon mustard (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Toss in the browned kielbasa and stir until everything is creamy and saucy.Finish strong.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve right out of the skillet while it’s hot and gooey. Seconds are pretty much guaranteed.
Notes
• Serve with a simple green salad or roasted broccoli to balance the richness
• Garlic bread on the side is never a bad idea
• A crisp lager or dry Riesling pairs perfectly with the smoky sausage
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~650 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~50g~50g
- Protein: ~28g