This kielbasa recipes with pasta is a game changer for a quick, filling, and wonderful dinner! Perfect sautéed smoked, juicy kielbasa sausage is combined with soft spaghetti, a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, and a little spice. Perfect for a busy weekday dinner, it’s creamy, filling, and comes together in only thirty minutes!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
✔ One-Skillet Meal : More taste and less cleaning!
✔ Smoky & Creamy Combination : The savory kielbasa plus creamy garlic Parmesan sauce is a perfect match made in heaven.
✔ Quick & Easy : A 30-minute simple ingredient supper in half an hour.
✔ Family-Friendly : Everybody will adore this rich, cozy pasta meal.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Skillet:
- Pasta (rigatoni, penne, or rotini) : Holds the creamy sauce nicely.
- Kielbasa Sausage (sliced into rounds) : Smoky, delicious, and bursting with taste.
- Olive Oil : Great for sautéing aromatics and kielbasa.
- Diced Onion : Gives a sweet, fragrant base.
- Minced Garlic : Essential for that deep garlic taste.
- Cherry Tomatoes (Optional) : Provides a flash of color and freshness.
- Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream : Makes an incredibly creamy sauce.
- Chicken Broth : Deepens and thickens the sauce.
- Smoked Paprika : Adds a nice, smoky taste.
- Black Pepper & Salt : Classic seasonings to balance flavors.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional) : Provides a mild spiciness if you enjoy heat.
- Parmesan Cheese (Grated) : Melts into the sauce, creating a particularly creamy consistency.
- Spinach or Kale (Optional) : Adds a nutritious boost of greens.
- Fresh Parsley : For garnish, adding a flash of color and freshness.
👉 The complete ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
Making Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sear the Kielbasa
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add sliced kielbasa and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic.
- Sauté until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- If using, add cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Stir in smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 5: Combine Everything
- Add the cooked pasta and kielbasa back into the skillet.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and spinach or kale.
- Simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and the greens wilt.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: Want more classic kielbasa pasta ideas? Check out this amazing list of kielbasa and pasta recipes for more inspiration!
Expert Advice for the Perfect Kielbasa Pasta
✔ Use Smoked Kielbasa : It deepens and adds complexity to the dish.
✔ Keep the Pasta Al Dente : Prevents it from getting mushy in the sauce.
✔ For Extra Creaminess : Add more Parmesan or stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese.
✔ Want More Spice? Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
How to Serve
Perfect on its own, this creamy, smoky kielbasa pasta pairs wonderfully with:
🥖 Garlic Bread : Perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
🥗 Fresh Green Salad : A crisp contrast to the richness.
Make Ahead and Store
Keeping Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheating
- Stovetop: Reheat over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Freezing
- Not Recommended : The creamy sauce may separate when thawed.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute another sausage?
Yes! Try Italian sausage, chorizo, or Andouille for different flavors.
2. Is this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast and use coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative.
3. Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely! Farfalle, fusilli, or even spaghetti work well.
4. Can I add more vegetables?
Yes! Bell peppers, zucchini, peas, or mushrooms add extra nutrition.
Conclusion
Perfect for busy weeknights, this Kielbasa Pasta Skillet is creamy, smoky, and bursting with rich flavors. Serve it with a salad or garlic bread, and in just 30 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal. Enjoy! 😋🍝🔥
Creamy & Flavorful Kielbasa Pasta with a Rich Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Mixing Spoon
- Pot for Boiling Pasta
- Colander
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz pasta penne, rotini, or rigatoni
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage sliced into rounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
For the Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter version
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional for spice
Final Additions
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup spinach or kale optional, for extra greens
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced kielbasa and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in cherry tomatoes (if using) and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and kielbasa back to the skillet. Stir in Parmesan cheese and spinach, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm. Enjoy with extra Parmesan on top!