Description
This Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal combining smoky kielbasa sausage, tender penne pasta, Italian-seasoned tomatoes, and a creamy cheese sauce. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it delivers a satisfying blend of savory, cheesy goodness in under 40 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Produce
- 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 14 ounce can diced Italian tomatoes
- ½ cup milk
Dry and Dairy
- 8 ounces uncooked penne or similar pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat and allow it to warm up.
- Cook sausage and onions: Add the sliced kielbasa and diced onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 4 minutes until the sausage is lightly browned and onions are softened.
- Sauté garlic and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds while stirring constantly to release the flavors without burning the garlic.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, 14 ounces diced Italian tomatoes, ½ cup milk, uncooked pasta, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper into the skillet. Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Bring to a boil: Increase heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil on the stovetop.
- Simmer pasta: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add cheese and combine: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in 2 cups shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese until melted and evenly distributed, creating a creamy cheesy sauce.
- Season and serve: Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Kielbasa: You can substitute with turkey kielbasa or any similar sausage if preferred.
- Italian seasoning: Adjust the amount to your taste for a stronger or milder herb flavor.
- Chicken broth: Reduced-sodium broth is recommended to better control salt content.
- Italian tomatoes: Use diced Italian tomatoes for additional seasoning; plain diced tomatoes are a fine alternative.
- Milk: Any type of milk, from skim to whole, will work depending on your preference.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese can be used instead of Cheddar-Jack if desired.
- Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
