Description
Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta is a comforting, flavorful one-pan meal featuring sliced kielbasa sausage, diced onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning simmered with penne pasta in a savory broth and tomato mixture, finished with creamy melted Cheddar-Jack cheese. This easy-to-make dish combines smoky sausage with cheesy pasta for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese
- ½ cup milk
Produce
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 14 ounce can diced Italian tomatoes
- 8 ounces uncooked penne or similar pasta
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet and warm it over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the sausage and onions.
- Cook kielbasa and onion: Add the sliced kielbasa and diced onion to the skillet. Cook while stirring regularly for about 4 minutes, until the sausage is lightly browned and the onions begin to soften.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook and stir continuously for about 30 seconds to release the flavors without burning the garlic.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the reduced-sodium chicken broth, diced Italian tomatoes, milk, and add the uncooked penne pasta along with ground black pepper. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Bring to boil and simmer: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add cheese and finish: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese until it is fully melted and the pasta is creamy and cheesy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
Notes
- Kielbasa: You can substitute with a similar sausage such as turkey kielbasa for a leaner option.
- Italian seasoning: Feel free to adjust or increase the Italian seasoning for a more robust herb flavor.
- Chicken broth: Using reduced-sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness in the dish.
- Italian tomatoes: The seasoned Italian diced tomatoes add extra flavor, but regular diced tomatoes will also work.
- Milk: Any kind of milk, including skim, 2%, or whole milk, can be used depending on your preference.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese alone can also be used if Cheddar-Jack blend is unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
